Fairtrade supporting Commonwealth Games Baton

There was a big Fairtrade presence as the Commonwealth Games baton came to Ammanford.

The town's Fairtrade Group handed out Fairtrade bananas from the town's Co-Operative store to the crowds gathered to welcome the baton.

The International Day at The Amman Centre also saw local Fair Trade shops, Bertams and Harmony, selling products sourced from Commonwealth countries, and children coloured in flags in support of the Commonwealth countries which have Fairtrade farmers.

Commonwealth Games mascot Clyde even visited the Fairtrade Group's stall, and helped make a Fairtrade smoothie on iSmooth's bicycle powered smoothie maker.

The Commonwealth Games, hosted this year by Glasgow, which is a Fairtrade City, have followed the lead of the London Olympics in their support for Fairtrade. All bananas, tea, coffee and sugar supplied to visitors, staff and athletes at the Games will be Fairtrade.

Phil Broadhurst, from Ammanford Fairtrade Group, was delighted at the way the group were able to mark the visit of the baton to Ammanford, which became the first Fairtrade Town in Wales back in 2002. "It was a great opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth Games' commitment to Fairtrade, and to recognise Ammanford's continuing commitment to helping farmers and producers around the world get a fair price for their goods."