A BORDERS supermarket is highlighting its Fairtrade produce this week as part of a national initiative.

The Co-op in Melrose has created a stand at the front of its shop showcasing its fairtrade products as part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

The aim of the stand is to encourage shoppers to choose Fairtrade items as part of their everyday shop, supporting workers and farmers behind the produce and help tackle climate injustice.

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A spokesperson for Melrose Co-op said: “When it’s Fairtrade Fortnight we like to encourage customers to focus on Fairtrade brands.

"But really, any time’s a good time to choose Fairtrade, because it plays an important part in addressing working conditions and fair wages for producers and farmers.

"It's also addressing the climate crisis.

"So, a fairer deal for people and planet!”

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Examples of Fairtrade items available in-store chocolate, tea, coffee, wine and bananas.

A Fairtrade Foundation spokesperson said: "Since last Fairtrade Fortnight we have seen the G7 and COP26 take place.

"Over 33,000 campaigners joined 1.8m Fairtrade farmers and workers in backing the Be Fair With Your Climate Promise challenge to world leaders at the UN COP26 summit.

"But frustration came as the wealthiest nations failed to recognise the urgent need to invest in farmer expertise by delaying their promised $100bn annual funding to the most climate vulnerable countries until 2023.

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"That isn’t good enough.

"Fairtrade is about social, economic and environmental justice.

"These are built into our standards and drive everything we do.

"A root cause of the inability to adapt to and mitigate climate change is poverty.

"More money in the hands of farmers is needed if they are to adapt and survive the climate crisis."

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Fairtrade Fortnight will run until Sunday, March 6.

For more information, and to read the stories from farmers affected by the climate crisis, visit: www.fairtrade.org.uk/