IMAGINE life without a liveable wage, decent food, clothing and a home.

For most people in the developed world this is far-removed from their comfortable lives, with everything they need for a bright, secure future.

But in the developing world many workers face harsh living conditions, low pay and exploitation. They do not have access to even basic medical care or an education for themselves or their children.

The global Fairtrade movement helps to remedy this by helping to provide a living income for some of the world’s poorest farmers and workers.

Fairtrade Fortnight - which runs until Sunday March 10 - is the highlight of the year, when the profile of this vital work comes under the spotlight. This year also marks 25 years of Fairtrade in the UK.

Bradford district has been a Fairtrade Zone since 2006, fulfilling a range of criteria to gain this status. This includes having a variety of Fairtrade products in the area’s shops and cafes, demonstrating the use of Fairtrade products in local workplaces and establishing a local Fairtrade steering group.

In collaboration with Bradford Council, Bradford’s Fairtrade Zone is made up of Keighley, Shipley, Baildon, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Thornton and Haworth - the world’s first Fairtrade village. There are also many Fairtrade places of worship - including Bradford Cathedral - schools and businesses.

As chairman of Bradford Fairtrade Zone, Karen Palframan is busy promoting events during Fairtrade Fortnight.

“There is still exploitation within the supply chain. Those farmers in the Fairtrade system are better off than others but there are still millions living in poverty,” she says.

“The organisation Fairtrade International works throughout the supply chain to bring farmers into the system and link with buyers and onwards to retailers. So when we go shopping we can pick up products and know that farmers are receiving a fair price."

The average living income for a cocoa farmer is £1.82 a day, yet what they earn from cocoa typically falls far short of that. Incomes are low and uncertain.

This year Fairtrade Fortnight focuses on the women who grow cocoa used for chocolate. The ‘She deserves a living income’ campaign highlights some of the things many of us take for granted such as education, housing and healthcare - things that a living income can provide.

Events this year across the district include a Fairtrade stall in Baildon Co-op promoting Fairtrade in four local schools, a Fairtrade breakfast at Bradford Cathedral, a Fairtrade afternoon tea and chocolate tasting at St. John’s Church, Ben Rhydding.

“On March 17 there’s a Fairtrade and Brontë Society walk from Thornton to Haworth, celebrating the Reverend Patrick Brontë and focusing on his social reform campaigning, including universal education,” says Karen.

On March 2 Haworth Fairtrade Group will be on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway handing out samples of Fairtrade goodies to the visitors and passengers.

Elaine De Villiers, of Baildon Fairtrade group says: “I think activities and events during Fairtrade Fortnight spread a vital message about trade injustice.

“Despite all the hard work by the women who toil all day in the fields planting, harvesting and carrying crops to market and then looking after their children and, often, extended families, at home, they are unlikely to earn enough to provide a decent income. They deserve more.”

She adds: “I shall also be signing a petition card to the UK Government to make sure our trade with developing countries puts poverty reduction first, delivering living incomes for all, especially women.”

Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the UK-based charity Fairtrade Foundation says: “Tragically many farmers - both men and women - are underpaid and exploited, meaning they can’t earn enough for the basics many of us take for granted, including food, education and housing.

“It’s even worse for the women who work in the fields and in the home. Despite the hard work they put in, they are often overlooked and under-represented and usually see even less of the money for their crop. That’s why this Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re focusing on the women who grow the cocoa for our chocolate treats with our campaign.

“Fairtrade’s journey over the past 25 years has been built on the actions of people in communities, schools, workplaces and more - showing solidarity for some of the most exploited in the supply chain by choosing Fairtrade products, especially during Fairtrade Fortnight.

“From just three Fairtrade products in 1994 to thousands available today, UK campaigners and shoppers have helped to bring Fairtrade to over 1.6 million farmers and workers worldwide.

“However, the job of making trade fair is far from done, and in our anniversary year we are re-doubling our efforts to encourage governments and companies to take more action so that farmers earn what they deserve -, a living income.

Visit fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight to find out more; to find out what is happening here visit fairtradeyorkshire.org.uk; bradford.gov.uk/your-community/fairtrade/fairtrade-zone/

Baildon

Friday March 1 Fairtrade stall in the Co-op, 10am – 6pm.

Promoting Fairtrade in four local schools.

Bradford

Wednesday Feb 27 Bradford Council staff Fairtrade baking sale. Raising funds for the Bradford foodbank

Sunday March 3, 8.30-9.45am, Bradford Cathedral, Fairtrade breakfast.

Sunday March 17 Fairtrade and Brontë Society walk from Thornton to Haworth 9am for 9.30am departure from St. James’ Church, Thornton, via Denholme. Arrive Haworth Old School Room at 2pm for Fairtrade refreshments and to join the ‘Brontë 200’ event commemorating Rev Patrick Brontë.

Burley-in-Wharfedale

Saturday March 16, 9.30am - 11.30am, Christian Aid coffee morning, Methodist Church. There will be cake and gift stalls. Fairly traded crafts, accessories and food items will also be on sale.

Haworth

Saturday March 2, Haworth Fairtrade Group will be on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway steam train departing at 11.45am from Oxenhope. They will be handing out samples of Fairtrade goodies to the visitors and passengers, and will be joined by staff from Oxenhope Co-op, with entertainment by musicians Ian and Reuben.

Ilkley

A competition organised by Ilkley Fairtrade group and Ilkley Soroptimists to find the most inspiring local woman, who will be presented with a hamper of Fairtrade goodies donated by local supermarkets. The competition links with International Women’s Day on March 8 and will highlight inspiring female Fairtrade cocoa farmers.

Saturday March 2, 2.30pm - 4pm. Fairtrade afternoon tea and chocolate tasting, Traidcraft stall. St. John’s Church, Ben Rhydding, plus tasting and sale of JTS Meru papaya jam.

Sunday March 3, Real Food Ilkley market. Joint Fairtrade and Soroptimists stall, 10am - 3pm.

Oxfam shop Fairtrade Fortnight window display. 20 per cent off selected Fairtrade goods until March 12.

-Saturday March 9, 11am – 2pm, Traidcraft stall in Christchurch foyer next to the Fairtrade cafe.

Keighley

Saturday March 9. Fairtrade drinks and cakes, plus Fairtrade product tastings, in the Old Mall Café, Airedale Shopping Centre, 10am - 2pm. The event is to tie in with International Women's Day on March 8 and the Fairtrade theme of ‘She deserves a living income’.

Shipley

Display of Fairtrade products in Saltaire Co-op from February 24 to March 9