FAIRTRADE fortnight (March 1-14) could not have come at a better time for south Cumbria Millom is the latest to be named a Fairtrade Town, and Ambleside and Windermere are well on their way to achieving this status, as Kendal did last year.

Meanwhile, the Fairtrade symbol which is celebrating its 10th birthday can now be found on more than 180 products, including bananas, chocolate, tea and coffee.

"From school tuckshops to smart hotels, Fairtrade is now moving into the mainstream," said Fairtrade Foundation executive director Harriet Lamb.

Taste for life' is the theme of this year's Fairtrade fortnight, celebrating quality products as well as quality of life for the producers who benefit from the scheme.

"Bananas are a great example of how consumer power works," explained Harriet. "It is so tempting to pick up a cheap bunch but the rock bottom prices mean that banana plantations are being closed down. Too often, prices to farmers don't even pay the cost of production and hundreds of banana farmers are living in poverty. Buying Fairtrade means the farmers can stay on the land and keep farming."

During the fortnight, Booths stores in Kendal and Windermere will be promoting their Fairtrade products. There will also be Fairtrade stalls at Asda, Kendal, on Saturday, March 6, and Morrisons on Friday, March 12.

Ambleside Fairtrade Group is holding a Fairtrade Day next Wednesday (March 3) at St Martin's College. There will be displays by wholesalers and free tastings for local businesses, community groups and the general public.

Oxfam in Kendal is also holding tasting days on Tuesday, March 2, and Wednesday, March 10.

There will be a Traidcraft stall at Sedbergh United Reformed Church coffee morning on Wednesday, March 10. And worship with a Fairtrade theme takes place at Sandylands Methodist Church in Kendal at 6.30pm on Sunday, March 7.

On Friday, March 12, cyclists from the UK's 31 Fairtrade towns will converge on Garstang, the first community to achieve the status. The Kendal contingent departs from the Friends Meeting House at 10am.