Peros supply Fairtrade sugar to both Manchester universities and arranged a presentation from a sugar cane farmer to highlight the importance of the sugar industry to Jamaican people.
Alexia Ludford of Worthy Park, Jamaica, spoke of the positive impact Fairtrade premiums are making for producers since they joining in 2012.
Alexia said: “Fairtrade goes beyond extra payments; it’s about creating new opportunities. The farmers benefit, the community benefits, kids benefit, everyone benefits. It’s a partnership I hope we can keep forever.”
The University of Manchester is celebrating ten years as a Fairtrade University, which was marked with a sustainability event centred around Alexia’s talk. Manchester Metropolitan also held events to promote this year’s Fairtrade message.