NEXT Monday will mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight.

There will be a special coffee morning at All Saints Church on Friday, February 28 to celebrate the event.

Visitors can expect homemade cakes, coffee, tea, and a stall with Fairtrade goods available to buy.

Fairtrade is a global movement with a strong and active presence in the UK, represented by the Fairtrade Foundation, which last year marked 25 years.

Fairtrade is a movement for change that works directly with businesses, consumers and campaigners to make trade deliver for farmers and workers.

The international Fairtrade system (which the Fairtrade Foundation is part of) represents the world’s largest and most recognised fair trade system. We are a global organisation working to secure a better deal for farmers and workers.

Julia Moore of All Saints Church said: “We will have our morning service on Friday, February 28 which finishes at around 11.15am.

“There will then be a coffee morning, with homemade cakes, and a Fairtrade stall.

“The stall will also be in church after the Sunday service on March 1.”

She explained: “The money will probably be going towards Traidcraft Exchange, which was 40-years-old last year.

“Traidcraft Exchange was really the first big Fairtrade company in the UK and is based in Newcastle.

“It is the charity arm of Traidcraft which works with producers to develop products – the sort of things that are going to be marketable.”

Julia also explained the importance of Fairtrade Fortnight and said: "There are still a lot of people who don't know what Fairtrade is.

"It means producers can be paid a fair price and they can get a social premium on top, which can be used on community projects, so you know a producer is getting a good price and their community is going to benefit."

There will also be a chocolate celebration at the Bridge Fair Trade Shop in Weymouth on Saturday, February 29 from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors can expect hot chocolates, chocolate cakes and chocolate tasting.

Julia added: “Any donations we receive will be going to the Fairtrade Foundation.”

Fairtrade Fortnight will be running until Sunday, March 8.

Find out more about how to get involved by visit www.fairtrade.org.uk