Fair trade bid wins support (From Penarth Times)

Fair trade bid wins support

A NUMBER of cafes and shops have moved to support a campaign to make Penarth a fair trade town.

The town council campaign was kickstarted by Penarth councillor Mark Wilson earlier this year.

To achieve fair trade status for the town, Penarth town council must encourage a certain number of cafes, shops and restaurants in the town to offer fair trade products.

Cllr Wilson said: "I am delighted that the campaign is gathering momentum and would like to thank all the traders who have opted for fair trade products for their support."

Foxy"s Deli on Station Approach is stocking fair trade tea, coffee, biscuits, chocolate, beans and pulses.

Owner Neil Fox said: "I think it is an ethically sound scheme and the products are also of a very high quality. Our customers want to know that the local producers are rewarded fairly for their efforts."

The North Meets South cafe at the top of the Windsor Arcade will sell fair trade products from September.

The cafe is owned by South African businesswoman Taryn Muller who moved to Wales from Durban five years ago.

Taryn said: "As I grew up in South Africa I am all too familiar with the problems that plague the African continent.

"We fully support the town council campaign and will be stocking fair trade coffee, tea and sugar from next month.

"We hope to make people realise that we can no longer throw money at the problem of poverty. One needs to be proactive and change the system of trade."

The cafe at the new Hamptons home furnishing store on Ludlow Lane is also stocking Fair trade tea, coffee and sugar.

Owner Peter Knowles said: "I feel that ethically we have a responsibility to support the developing world."