The Midcounties Co-operative is marking the 25th anniversary of Fairtrade in Bourton-on-the-Water with the launch of its new campaign to encourage shoppers and local pupils to consider putting Fairtrade in their shopping basket.

The Society has launched its #1Swap campaign in stores throughout Gloucestershire, encouraging shoppers to make a pledge to exchange one item in their shopping basket for a Fairtrade alternative, helping to give farmers a fair price and support better working conditions for suppliers.

People in the area, including children from The Cotswold School and Bourton Primary School, had the chance to enjoy a cookery masterclass with a local chef as part of Midcounties’ efforts to mark a quarter of a century of the Fairtrade Mark being launched in the UK.

The pupils also learnt more about the importance of Fairtrade through a survey and activities including a poster competition and a Fairtrade treasure hunt in store.

Jack Ellis, School Council lead at The Cotswold School, said: “It’s so important for children to understand the Fairtrade ethos and being able to go to our local Midcounties store really helped to make the lessons more engaging and memorable for our pupils.

“We’d like to say thank you to Midcounties for inviting us into their store and taking the time to put on such a fantastic range of activities.”

Adam Quinton, regional communities ambassador for The Cotswolds at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “Fairtrade is so important to us as a society, and we hope that our activities here in Bourton-on-the-Water will help to highlight Fairtrade’s ongoing efforts to support better welfare for food producers, and prompt more people to make kinder decisions when they do their

shopping."