Community retailer the Midcounties Co-operative is inviting people in for a cuppa to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight.

The member-owned society is supporting Traidcraft's Big Brew initiative and is hosting Fairtrade tea parties at its stores in Worcestershire.

Shoppers can join in at its Franche Road store, Kidderminster, on Monday 1 March from 10am-1pm and at its High Street store, Evesham, on Friday 5 March from 9am to 5pm.

Patrice Garrigues, Ethical Trading Manager at Midcounties, said: “We are a community focussed business which has long been an enthusiastic supporter of Fairtrade.Trading ethically is a key commitment for a co-operative and is integral to our values and principles.”

Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until 7 March, is an annual celebration to raise awareness of FAIRTRADE Mark products, which help producers in developing countries by guaranteeing fair prices and providing an additional social premium to fund vital community projects.

Customers who make the switch from conventional tea brands to Fairtrade tea, for example, will benefit growers in some of the world's poorest countries, including Malawi, which produces tea for the Co-operative's iconic 99 Tea brand.

The Co-operative is a leading supporter of Fairtrade, and its extensive Fairtrade range, covers everything from chocolate to fruit and nuts, cereals, hot and cold drinks, cakes and a market-leading wine range.

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