KATE Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, is calling on her constituents to choose a shopping list that changes lives this Fairtrade Fortnight.

Fairtrade products have been produced by small-scale farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards. The standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects.

Ms Green will be hosting her annual Fairtrade coffee morning on March 6 as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. The event will take place at Morris Hall, Atkinson Road, Urmston, from 10.30 am until noon, and all constituents are very welcome. Proceeds will be donated to Action Aid.

Other shops in Stretford and Urmston will also be taking part in Fairtrade fortnight. The Co-operative Group and independent Co-operative societies will be marking their commitment to Fairtrade with a series of events online in-store and in the local community, across the UK. This year they will be focusing on wine, which should certainly drag in an audience.

She said: “Tackling poverty isn’t just about giving aid and Government assistance, it is about increasing trade opportunities and ensuring that producers are paid a fair price for their work.

“Fairtrade Fortnight reminds us all that by making a few small changes to our shopping habits we can make a real difference to producers in the developing world. I hope that people in Stretford and Urmston will choose to play their part and opt for fair trade products whenever they can.”

Mary Creagh, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Development speaking at the start of Fairtrade Fortnight said, “The UK should be proud that even in these challenging economic times we are choosing to spend more on fair trade products."

* Anyone interested in finding out more about Fairtrade should visit.fairtrade.org.uk

* Fairtrade Fortnight runs until March 8.