SCHOOLS, village halls and community groups have taken up the challenge to join in Monmouthshire’s biggest ever Fairtrade coffee morning.

More than 30 different events are being held by schools and community groups in Monmouthshire as part of the Fairtrade Coffee Morning during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight from September 22 to October 5.

Events taking place across the county include coffee mornings, assemblies in schools, sales of Fairtrade goods and displays, all with the aim of making people aware of the huge difference that popping a couple of Fairtrade items into their shopping basket makes to the lives of farmers across the world.

Coffee is one of the products that has a high risk of contributing to tropical deforestation, as native forests are cleared for plantations. But Fairtrade coffee, as well as providing a fair price for coffee farmers and a premium to support local communities, also guarantees that there has been no tropical deforestation.

Monmouthshire County Council are also excited to reveal that Jenipher Sambazi, a Fairtrade coffee grower from Uganda, will be travelling to Wales to visit several Monmouthshire schools to tell them first-hand about the difference that Fairtrade makes to her life.

Schools will also be taking part in an online, interactive lesson from charity Size of Wales to learn about coffee and tropical rainforests.

Monmouthshire County Council also held a Fairtrade coffee morning and sale at County Hall to coincide with a full council meeting, with Monmouth and Usk Community Hubs also holding events.

Councillor Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate and Environment, said: “It is brilliant news that so many groups are getting involved in the county’s biggest ever coffee morning.

“More and more people know now about the difference that buying Fairtrade makes to the lives of growers and producers, but not so many people are aware of the environmental benefits that Fairtrade brings.

“That’s why we are thrilled that so many schools and groups are getting involved in the biggest ever Fairtrade Coffee Morning to help get the message out there.”