Adecade ago, most people associated Fairtrade with tea and coffee.

Now the range of products is vast, with more than 4,500 items ranging from fruit and wine to cosmetics and clothing.

Buying them helps farmers in developing countries receive a fair and stable price for their products, and to enjoy a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Five years ago this month, Bradford became a Fairtrade Zone, an accolade awarded after fulfilling criteria including the number of Fairtrade goods on sale and the involvement of community groups and employers.

Towns and villages across the district have also become Fairtrade communities in their own right. Bingley, Baildon, Shipley, Ilkley and Haworth are among those recognised for their efforts.

For the next two weeks, groups within these communities will host a series of events to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. And they will be helping to set a world record attempt to help promote the cause.

People of all ages, from schools, churches, community centres and other groups, will be using their creative skills to decorate what they hope will form part of the world’s longest string of bunting.

The record bid has been organised by the Fairtrade Foundation, who oversee the annual fortnight, when people across the country get behind the movement.

The Fairtrade cotton bunting will be sent to the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting later this year to show the country’s support for Fairtrade.

“The aim is to join together all the strings and wrap it around the building where the meeting will be held,” says Barbara Judd, treasurer of Fairtrade Bradford.

Fairtrade Bradford steering group has been working with Divine Chocolate to plan events involving two Fairtrade cocoa farmers visiting from Ghana.

Harriet Boatemaa and Fatima Ali will be sharing their personal stories of life in their community.

A business breakfast will be held, at which local business leaders and representatives from Bradford Council will meet the farmers and speak to them about the difference that Fairtrade has made to their lives.

Barbara adds: “Fairtrade Fortnight raises the profile of the work being done nationally and locally to encourage people to buy these goods. Fairtrade can lift people out of poverty. They can live with dignity and need not rely on others.”

This Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of Bradford’s Fairtrade Zone status, when there will be a special service at Bradford Cathedral, followed by a serving of celebratory cake.

Springwood Community Primary School, in Manningham, is one of only five schools in the Bradford district, and 28 across Yorkshire, awarded Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation.

It is holding a number of events including special assemblies and Fairtrade meals being cooked by kitchen staff.

Learning mentor Susan Little, who has responsibility for Fairtrade, says: “The children are really interested. Learning about Fairtrade teaches them that not everyone in the world is quite as fortunate as them.

“They are particularly interested in the fact that some children in these countries cannot afford to go to school.”

Baildon has held Fairtrade Town status since 2005. Group convenor Elaine de Villiers says: “Our main event will be a stall in the Co-op where local volunteers will talk to shoppers. There will also be information about the wide range of products available.”

Jane Dale, of Bingley Fairtrade Group – the town was awarded Fairtrade status in 2006 – believes the fortnight provides a great opportunity to remind people about the benefits of buying Fairtrade and highlights the fact that communities have Fairtrade status.

“It also lets people know that, whereas once people used to associate Fairtrade with having to spend more, it is much less expensive than it used to be. All these messages are important to get across.”

For details of all Fairtrade events, contact Diana Greenwood at Fairtrade Bradford on (01274) 438849, or visit bradford.gov.uk and click on the link for Fairtrade.

Fairtrade Events

Thursday: Wine and chocolate-tasting at St Peter’s Church, Moorhead Lane, Shipley, at 7.30pm; Bingley Fairtrade group is running a stall with free samples of goods, on Market Square between on 10.30am and 1pm.

Thursday and Friday: stall in the Co-op in Northgate, Baildon; Create craft cafe in Ilkley’s Victorian Arcade is inviting people to drop in to decorate bunting until Friday and next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Saturday: Fairtrade stall in Darley Street, Bradford, between 9am and 5pm, with free tea and coffee.