WYRE Forest shoppers are being urged to spare a thought for poor farmers – especially women – who provide the cocoa for chocolate during Fairtrade Fortnight.

The district’s Fairtrade campaigners are asking consumers to help make a difference to the lives of many in the developing world by buying Fairtrade Foundation approved products.

Money from the Fairtrade Premium, more than £22 million in 2016, is invested in improved farming methods, in schools, clean water, healthcare and infrastructure to transform communities.

Kidderminster Fairtrade Group spokeswoman Clare Cassidy said the Fairtrade Minimum Price safety net also protects more than 200,000 farmers from a volatile market, but many others remain underpaid and exploited.

Clare said: “That means they can’t earn enough for the basic human rights that many of us take for granted. For the women it’s even worse. They may plant and harvest, look after children, carry water and transport the cocoa beans to market. But despite all that hard work, they are likely to see even less of the money for their crop.

“Here in the UK, there’s a growing movement calling for equal pay and respect for women. Fairtrade supports women’s empowerment

“We are using the annual campaign, from February 25 to March 10, to show that choosing Fairtrade is making a difference, and that together we can make even more of a difference.”