Most of us don’t think twice when buying bananas as part of our weekly shop.

We pick up a bunch and stick it the trolley along with our other goods. But if we were to get the chance to trace that banana back to its roots, we would uncover something of a crisis in the world of banana farming.

In the past decade, market demands have almost halved the shelf price of loose bananas, while the cost of producing them has doubled. This has trapped many of the farmers and workers who grow them into a cycle of poverty.

On the positive side, Fairtrade bananas now account for around 90 per cent of sales and many supermarkets have put in place safeguards based on a Fairtrade minimum price that covers the cost of production and leaves an amount to invest in business and community development. But to be fair to all growers, the entire industry needs to be transformed.

This week sees the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight, which aims to raise awareness of Fairtrade and highlight work being done. Each year the focus is on a different aspect of Fairtrade, and this year’s campaign – overseen by the Fairtrade Foundation, the independent, non-profit-making group that licenses use of the Fairtrade mark – throws the spotlight on bananas.

With eight Fairtrade towns and villages across the district – Bradford, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon, Keighley, Ilkley, Thornton and Burley-in-Wharfedale – much is being done in the area to raise awareness, both of banana farming and the advantages of buying Fairtrade generally.

As part of the fortnight, Bradford is playing host to Fairtrade banana producer Aimeth Angulo from Columbia. She will be at The Good Food Advice Stall in the Oastler Centre on Saturday, from 11am to 3pm, to talk about life as a banana farmer and how Fairtrade can make a difference. There will also be cookery demonstrations from Jamie’s Ministry of Food using Fairtrade products.

“The supply chains are being squeezed, which is putting banana farmers out of business,” says Karen Palframan, chairman of Bradford Fairtrade Zone, “The Fairtrade Premium helps to guarantee a fair price and also helps with business training and contributes to disaster funds to cope with climate change.”

Aimeth is also attending events at Bradford Grammar School, Keighley Co-op and Bradford Cathedral.

Adds Karen: “Buying Fairtrade goods can make such a difference to people’s lives.”

Keighley gained Fairtrade status last November and Skipton is working towards Fairtrade status. “Bradford College is also working towards that,” says Karen. “Fairtrade is thriving, but it is still a drop in the ocean.” Sales of Fairtrade products in Britain increased by 14 per cent to 1.78 billion last year.

Mike de Villiers, who along with his wife Elaine, is a Fairtrade convener for Baildon, is helping to raise awareness at an event in Baildon Co-op on March 7 and 8, where they will be displaying products and encouraging people to sign a petition asking the Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, to look at sustainable market pricing for bananas.

“Each time we hold an event we find that more people are buying Fairtrade goods,”he says, “But many are not aware of the range of products available – you can get so many things such as olive oil, nuts, cotton buds, even beer.”

Diana Greenwood, secretary of the Fairtrade Steering Group in Bradford, says: “In terms of activity, we are one of the most active groups in Yorkshire. We are trying to educate people about Fairtrade. We are getting positive feedback but there is still some way to go.”

In a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation, banana farmers were asked about the impact of Fairtrade on their lives. It found that family incomes have increased by an average of 30 per cent, and more than 90 per cent of people said their quality of life had improved.

In Shipley, a number of coffee mornings are being held serving Fairtrade refreshments. Fairly traded goods will be on sale at the events, at locations across the town including Cuppacare at Shipley Baptist Church, St Peter’s Church and Saltaire Methodist Church.

“It is a small effort, but it all contributes,” says Fairtrade convener for Shipley Barbara Judd. “It is essential to keep campaigning both to governments and supermarkets.”

For details of events that Aimeth is attending visit fairtradeyorkshire.org.uk; for details of events across Bradford district, visit bradfordmarkets.com/markets events. Contact Karen at karen. palframan@talktalk.net or on 07703 778261.