HUNTINGDON has become a Fairtrade Town achieving the status just in time for this year s Fairtrade Fortnight which starts on Monday (February 22). For two years the town has working towards fulfilling all of the requirements needed to achieve the status,

HUNTINGDON has become a Fairtrade Town achieving the status just in time for this year's Fairtrade Fortnight which starts on Monday (February 22).

For two years the town has working towards fulfilling all of the requirements needed to achieve the status, and last week was told it had been successful.

Mayor of Huntingdon Councillor Saeed Akthar told The Hunts Post: "This is fantastic news for Huntingdon.

"It's great that we have got this status, but it is also important that farmers get a fair price for their produce so they can lead better lives and provide an education for their children."

Fairtrade provides farmers with a fair price for their products. Having the town status show Huntingdon supports the scheme and is selling and buying the products.

Katy Sismore, Huntingdon's town centre manager, who was part of Huntingdon Fairtrade steering group, said the town had to show retailers were selling the products and that schools, businesses and other groups were buying and using them.

She said: "I'm so pleased to get this after all the hard work that we have put in.

"The best way to sum up Fairtrade is to think about something one customer said: 'I can't influence much in the world, but I can have an effect with the way I spend my money'.

"This is a significant achievement and is yet another example of the strong teamwork in Huntingdon."

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly added: "To achieve Fairtrade status a town needs to show a concentration of businesses selling or using Fairtrade products. This shows that Fairtrade has taken root in Huntingdon and the town is playing its part in helping the poor in other countries."

The town now has plans for a Fairtrade directory.

St Ives and St Neots already have Fairtrade Town status.

INFORMATION: To celebrate Huntingdon's Fairtrade Town status and as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2010, which starts on Monday, February 22, there will be a stall at Huntingdon's Farmers' Market on Friday, February 26 offering a free tasting of Fairtrade items.

There will also be free Fairtrade breakfasts being served (donations requested) at The Methodist Church in Huntingdon from 8.30am on Wednesday, February 24, Sunday, February 28, Wednesday, March 3 and Friday, March 5.