The winners of this year's Edinburgh Lord Provost Fair Trade Awards were revealed at a fair trade brunch earlier today.
Cafe Camino in York Place hosted the awards presentation, along with fair trade stalls, to mark Fairtrade Fortnight 2011, which began on Monday and runs until 13 March.
Lord Provost George Grubb presented the following awards:
- Best Fair Trade Newcomer Award: to Earthy, owners of Yum Cafe in Newington
- Best Fair Trade Community Award: to the Fair Trade Cafe at Edinburgh University Chaplaincy
- Best Fair Trade Faith Community Award: to Wardie Parish Church
- Best Fair Trade Award: to Equal Exchange and its founder Andy Good
As well as tucking into fair trade produce and picking up information about fair trade from the various stalls, brunch-goers heard a speech from Um Shehadeh, a fair trade olive oil producer from Palestine.
This year's Edinburgh Lord Provost Fair Trade Awards saw a 25% increase in nominations, with a prize hamper of fair trade goodies, for those nominating in, donated by Scotmid. The hamper was won by Eileen Potter.
Lord Provost George Grubb said: "We've been doing the Lord Provost Fair Trade Awards for a number of years now and it's wonderful to see how much things have evolved since we first started. Huge congratulations to everyone who received an award this year, and to all those who were nominated. Edinburgh is an official Fairtrade City and we are committed to encouraging more and more people to become ethical shoppers by swapping their usual products for Fairtrade versions wherever possible."
A wide range of events are happening across the city for Fairtrade Fortnight, including a fair trade Pancake Breakfast in Princes Street, a "Be Fair with Fashion" event in Queensferry and the Fair Trade Schools Event and Lord Provost Fair Trade Schools Award at Stenhouse Primary School.