Rochdale goes around the world in Fairtrade wines

The Co-operative Fairtrade Fortnight Wine Tasting, Rochdale

Rochdale residents learnt their Argentinean Malbec from their South African Sauvignon Blanc with a little help from The Co-operative’s North West and North Midlands Membership Team. On Monday 11 March, at St Paul’s Church in Norden, wine lovers sampled a selection of The Co-operative’s award-winning Fairtrade wines from around the world.

The wine tasting evening was part of Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February – 10 March), the annual celebration of the Fairtrade movement aimed at raising the profile of FAIRTRADE Mark products. Fairtrade helps producers in developing countries, such as Chile, Argentina and South Africa, by guaranteeing fair prices and providing an additional social premium to fund vital community projects.

Hazel Remeika, The Co-operative’s Membership Manager for the North West and North Midlands said: “The Co-operative’s unique sourcing policy goes beyond delivering typical Fairtrade premiums to suppliers, meaning the business also provides additional investment to communities across the globe, helping them improve sanitation, productivity, education and training.

“It’s fantastic to think that people can pop into their local store for a bottle of Fairtrade wine to enjoy at home and at the same time be helping communities thousands of miles away in developing countries.”

The Co-operative continues to lead the way in Fairtrade, and with the support of its customers and members, its pioneering approach has helped make the UK the world’s largest Fairtrade market. As part of its ground-breaking Ethical Plan, the business has pledged that if products can be labelled Fairtrade, they will be, and aims to have achieved 90% of this by the end of 2013.

Places on the evening are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place please contact The Co-operative’s North West and North Midlands Membership Team: 0161 827 6423 or membership.northwest@co-operative.coop