“Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers.”

Karen Palframan, chairman of Bradford Fairtrade Zone - which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary - relays the message being delivered during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight which runs until March 13.

Across the country campaigners will be encouraged to inspire Big Fairtrade Breakfasts in their community, to alert people to the challenges facing farmers and workers around the world.

“We are asking people to enjoy a Fairtrade breakfast and think about the farmers who have provided many of the ingredients,” says Karen. “People may think they understand what Fairtrade is but they may be unaware of the many benefits it brings as well as a guaranteed fair price - farmers build up better connections and long-term relationships between produces and suppliers are strengthened.

Ten years ago on, March 6 2006, Bradford was declared a Fairtrade Zone, fulfilling a range of criteria to gain this status. This included having a variety of Fairtrade products available in the area’s shops and cafes, demonstrating the use of Fairtrade products in local workplaces and establishing a local Fairtrade steering group.

Now there are many Fairtrade towns within the district: there is even a Fair Trade Way - a scenic, circular walking route linking all the Fairtrade towns and villages: Bradford, Bingley, Shipley, Baildon, Burley, Ilkley, Haworth, Denholme and Thornton. The route uses public footpaths through the district’s beautiful countryside, passing places of interest.

Across the globe more than 1.5million farmers and workers make their living in Fairtrade certified organisations. Accreditation means better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers.

The number of Fairtrade products on sale globally numbers more than 4500, and includes coffee, tea, flowers, chocolate and beauty products. One in three bananas bought in the UK is Fairtrade.

“There is a strong interest in Fairtrade,” says Karen despite the economic recession people are buying Fairtrade goods and thinking about their shopping. If there is a choice, Fairtrade is favoured.”

She stresses: “It makes a huge difference to farmers and there is still an urgency to change trade rules and ensure that farmers get a fair deal.”

This year a number of events will take place in the district including a special networking breakfast at Marks & Spencer in Broadway, a Fairtrade stall at Baildon Co-op on March 5 and breakfast in Bradford Cathedral on March 6 with the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds cutting a special cake.

Ilkley Soroptimists will jointly host a Big Fairtrade Breakfast event on Marhc 5, and goods will be sold at Ilkley’s inaugural real and fine food market on March 6. Many of the district’s churches will host Fairtrade stalls.

“It is about raising awareness. The food we eat depends upon other people producing it for us and without sustainable trading system we are not have enough food,” says Mike de Villiers, convenor for Bradford Fairtrade Zone. “Fairtrade is about ensuring a social and environmental best practice for the producers. It is about providing them with a fair and stable price, as the market fluctuates tremendously, especially for coffee and cocoa. When you are small producer in a co-operative these things are vital. It eliminates exploitation.”

He adds: “The system is very effective and ensures that producers have a voice.”

He cites the example of Divine chocolate, half of which is owned by producers. “It is a huge success story,” he says.

There is no shortage of products to enjoy at a Fairtrade breakfast, says Mike. ”There are bananas, museli, and honey, for instance, which you can eat alongside your cup of tea or coffee.”

Haworth Fairtrade group is marking Fairtrade Fortnight by teaming up with Keighley Fairtrade group and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, which was the first steam railway to be awarded Fairtrade status.

A ‘Fair Train’ event on Saturday March 5 will see a free Fairtrade breakfast supplied to passengers on the 11am steam train from Oxenhope. The event will be launched by the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds with Rainbow Morris dancers and musicians providing entertaining along the way.

The public can also get Fairtrade information and free samples at stations along the route.

Haworth became the first Fairtrade village in the world in 2002, while Keighley gained Fairtrade status in 2013.

*For more information on events contact Diana Greenwood on 01274 438849; or email diana.greenwood@bradford.gov.uk