To mark Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 Hounslow MPs Seema Malhotra and Ruth Cadbury and the Hounslow Co-operative Party hosted a Fairtrade coffee morning to engage, inform and educate people on the urgent threat to the future of food grown overseas.
The event, which took place on 10th March at Heston Royal British Legion, was part of the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual campaign to celebrate the farmers abroad who grow some of Britain’s everyday staples. It was attended by residents and Hounslow councillors, including Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 once again shone a spotlight on the climate crisis and the increasing threat it poses to some of the planet’s most beloved food products as well as the livelihoods of the farmers and agricultural workers who grow them. It showed how the future survival of the world’s most popular foods – such as bananas, cocoa, and coffee – hangs in the balance unless we achieve inclusive and equitable climate solutions, with farmers and agricultural workers playing a central role in the climate response.
Seema Malhotra, Labour and Co-operative MP for Feltham and Heston, said:
“It was wonderful to be joined by so many local people at our Fairtrade coffee morning.”
“Making the small switch to Fairtrade supports producers in protecting the future of some of our most-loved food and drink, as well as the planet.”
“Hounslow has a strong history of backing Fairtrade, with several of our churches and many of our local businesses backing Fairtrade and supporting farmers and producers to see a fairer deal, better pay and working conditions.”
“I’m grateful to the Fairtrade Foundation for all they do and their support for local communities marking Fairtrade Fortnight.”