Chepstow's Fairtrade Forum held a lunch last Wednesday (19th June) to encourage businesses to buy, sell and serve Fairtrade.

A buffet lunch in the town council offices showcased the best Fairtrade and local produce.

"We invited people from local businesses that sell and serve Fairtrade to encourage them to keep going or get going again, and to encourage others to do the same," said the forum's Julia Parsons.

"Fairtrade produce is not a lot more expensive, but we understand that even a couple of extra pence per cup of tea soon adds up."

That's why the forum is trying to set up a group for procurement. Supermarkets including Sainsbury's and Waitrose have been able to drive down the cost of some Fairtrade products by providing farmers with the security of long-term contracts.

And the procurement group isn't the group's only up-coming initiative.

Work to create a 'Fairtrade Way' linking Chepstow with Monmouth, Usk and Abergavenny has already started.

Pictured left to right are organisers Tanya White and Julia Parsons and mayor Stephanie Dovey.