It was a pleasure to be able to attend a drop-in session in Parliament, where I learnt more about the ‘Fairtrade Foundation’s’ campaign for securing a living income for cocoa farmers. Tempting us in with delicious Fairtrade chocolate (a perk of the job), we were told about the ‘She Deserves’ campaign, which focuses on what it might take to enable cocoa farmers – especially women – to earn a living income. The UK chocolate industry is worth at least £4bn a year, and us Brits consume more chocolate per person than any other European country. The UK can play a powerful role in bringing about change to ensure cocoa farmers get to live a dignified life.
Of course, here in West Sussex we’re a step ahead - officially a Fairtrade County – after actively making a resolution to promote Fairtrade to consumers, businesses and community groups back in December 2017.