THE WORLD record-breaking banana eating challenge from noon on March 6, to noon the
following day, featured in Chronicle People on March 12, really captured people's imagination during this year's Fairtrade Fortnight.
At least three primary schools (Canberra in White City, Lena Gardens and St Peter's CE, both in Hammersmith) took part, as did churches (St Andrew's Church and lunch project, Fulham, and St Michael and St George's Church and breakfast club, White City), the Territorial Army Barracks, the Hammersmith Volunteer Centre, and nurses at Hammersmith Hospital, let alone many individuals.
They contributed to the more than 390,000 people who registered with the Fairtrade Foundation to 'go bananas'. The Hammersmith & Fulham Fairtrade steering group, which promoted participation locally, would like to hear of any other organisations involved.
In 2006, we hosted a public meeting at which Maria Sergeant, a St Vincent banana producer, explained the benefits of Fairtrade to her and her community.
For contact details and local stockists of Fairtrade bananas and, indeed, other products bearing the FAIRTRADE Mark, go to www.lbhf.gov.uk/fairtrade.
Mary Corrall Co-ordinator, H&F Fairtrade steering group
4 Grove House, 66 British Grove, Chiswick
