17 October, 2010

Thanet Fairtrade Initiative welcomed hundreds of visitors from around the world yesterday (Saturday) to its annual World Food Day celebrations.

Dozens of stallholders – from The Co-operative, Thanet Earth and Quex Barn to J Prentis Greengrocers, Gadds’ Brewery and the World Educational Development Group (WEDG) – filled the Main Hall at the Winter Gardens, Fort Crescent. They enjoyed a steady trade throughout the day, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Margate, Cllr Mick Tomlinson.

Also present was top chef Ian Dunkerley, of Dunkerley’s Hotel and Restaurant, Deal, whose fresh fish dishes prepared during a live cooking demonstration proved exceptionally popular, while at 11am, visitors joined millions of others around the world to Stand Up Against Poverty.

New for 2010 was the international climate change conference, featuring an incredible line-up of guest speakers. Laura Vickery (The Co-operative), Toby Quantrill (Fairtrade Foundation), Duncan Williamson (WWF), May Kidd (Associated Country Women of the World), Julian Oram (World Development Movement), Laura Sandys (MP for South Thanet), Robert James (Thanet Earth) and Peter Brinn (environment consultant) all gathered in a packed Queen’s Hall to have their say on pressing environmental and green issues.

The conference was chaired by journalist and TV presenter Lucy Siegle, who took time out of writing her new book ‘To Die For’ to travel to Margate. She invited questions from the audience, which included members of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) – some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Australia and the United States of America for the event – as well as councillors and university students.

The energetic African dance troupe U’Zambezi, based in Sittingbourne, brought World Food Day to a colourful conclusion, performing to an appreciative audience on the main stage.

World Food Day 2011 will again be held at the Winter Gardens, Margate, on Sunday, October 16, with organisers planning a stunning fashion show to reflect the theme of next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight – ‘Show Off Your Label’.

To see pictures from this year’s event, click here – and check back soon for video highlights of the cookery demonstration and the international climate change conference.

Thanet Fairtrade Initiative is grateful for the support of The Co-operative, the Winter Gardens and Thanet Earth for their sponsorship and support of World Food Day 2010, and extends its thanks to the many businesses and individuals who helped make the event possible.