SCHOOLS, churches and businesses across Dinas Powys supported farmers and workers around the world as part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

At the Dinas Powys Community Cinema, cinema-goers swapped their usual treat to try Fairtrade wine from the Co-operative, and enjoyed tasting Fairtrade chocolate and snacks. Crafters at the White Gecko Craft Lounge took time off from their Japanese knot bag class to enjoy a Fairtrade drink.

Pupils at Dinas Powys Primary and St Andrew's Major held presentations for parents and offered free fairtrade refreshments. Vale AM Jane Hutt was also in attendance at Dinas Powys Primary to speak to pupils on their fairtrade-themed artwork.

Ms Hutt also supported the campaign by holding a Fairtrade break, inviting along ethnic minority women and refugees from the Rainbow Group.

Fairtrade Fortnight highlights the need to give farmers a fair wage for a hard day's work.

In Kenya’s coffee and tea growing regions one in three people live in poverty, while tea pickers in Malawi earn less than £1.46 a day. This is not enough to provide decent food, education or healthcare for their families or invest in better farming.

Cathie Jackson from the Fairtrade Group said: “I was delighted to see so many local groups get involved, to help give farmers a chance of a sustainable income.

"Whether in the UK or in Malawi, no one deserves to be short-changed for a hard day’s work.

"When we reach for the cheapest products, we may be unconsciously feeding exploitation.

"By buying products bearing the Fairtrade mark consumers can help farmers earn a viable income and an extra premium which they can invest in vital community, business and environmental projects.”

For more information on fairtrade contact the Dinas Powys Fairtrade Group via their Facebook page or on Twitter at @dpfairtrade