The Central Co-op has launched a new range of wines in celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight, which lasts from 27 February to 12 March.
The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight this year is how the small switch to Fairtrade supports producers to better protect the future of some of the most-loved products and the planet, including bananas, coffee, and flowers.
The annual event is designed to highlight the importance of Fairtrade products worldwide, and the convenience retailer is joining the celebrations by offering members 20% off the new selection of Fairtrade wines.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
Central Co-op members will also save across a variety of Fairtrade products as a part of the extended member offers, including a pack of 80 Fairtrade teabags down to £1.00 from £1.40, Fairtrade Gold coffee down from £3.60 to £3.00, and a small pack of Fairtrade bananas is also £0.75 for members, down from £1.05.
Throughout the fortnight Central Co-op’s Member & Community Relations Officers (MCROs) will be hosting a variety of local events across the Society’s operating area, getting schools and community groups involved in Fairtrade and how they can help protect the farms that grow Fairtrade produce.
On 2nd March Central Co-op will be hosting a virtual wine tasting to showcase some of these Fairtrade wines, with attendees able to learn about how to test wines, and how purchasing responsibly can have an impact on the lives of Fairtrade farmers and workers who grow the grapes.
The retailer is offering Fairtrade recipes like chocolate chip banana bread and banana ice cream, along with profiles on farmers benefitting from Fairtrade sales. The Central Co-op is also running a colouring competition until 13 March, giving budding artists a chance to win £50 of Fairtrade products.
It comes as Central Co-op is helping members of the public support homeless people by introducing the BillyChip scheme across its stores, allowing customers to provide food and drink to those in need.
It was also revealed that the Central Co-op is looking to open a record number of new UK stores this year, as it prepares to move its logistical operations over to the Co-op-owned LIDIA network.
