Community group promotes fair trade food
A group of adults with learning disabilities from Nuneaton are fighting global poverty, by selling food and drink produced by businesses in third world countries that provide better working conditions for employees.
The project is run by Nuneaton Community Support Services, part of Warwickshire County Council’s service provision for adults with learning disabilities. They recently decided to take on the task of buying and selling fair trade food and drink produced by Traidcraft.
Sue Doughty, who supports the group, said: “We first started meeting together last summer and decided we needed an identity of our own, and after discussion we decided on Fair Trade.”
“People with learning disabilities often have to overcome barriers so it’s fantastic that we can make a difference to other people in poorer countries who face different challenges in their own lives,” added Sue.
The group, called Prego, which means ‘How can I help you’ and ‘You’re welcome’, meet Monday to Friday at the Park House Youth and Community Centre, Riversley Road, Nuneaton.
They sell all sorts of Fair Trade goods. “The group have learned to take and place orders, they sort goods when they arrive and then deliver them” explained Sue.
The traders have also set up a snack bar at the Freeway Centre in Nuneaton and deliver food and drink to other parts of Nuneaton Community Support Services.
The group hope to expand by marketing and publicising its services locally.