by Martin Jefferies

Tempting Fairtrade aromas, delicious organic produce and guests from as far away as Trindad and Tobago helped make this year's Thanet World Food Day the "best yet".

Dozens of stallholders and hundreds of local people packed out Margate Winter Gardens last Friday (October 16) for the event, which aims to raise awareness of the crisises faced by small-scale farms and the millions who live with the threat of starvation.

It was also a celebration of Thanet's designation as a Fairtrade Island.

Organiser Tammy Stewart-Jones of Thanet Fairtrade Initiative, said: "We enjoyed a wonderful turnout and I think it's fair to say that this year's event was the best yet. We had also sorts of food to sample and plenty of hands-on demonstrations.

"One of the best parts of World Food Day is that people don't need to spend money. They can come along for free, learn more about Fairtrade and take home some important messages that they can share with their friends and family."

Exhibitors at this year's tasty extravaganza included Cadbury, which launched its first ever Fairtrade chocolate bar in the UK earlier this year, securing a better future for cocoa farmers in Ghana.

The Co-operative, a long-term supporter of local Fairtrade projects, continued to support the event.

Students from the Marlowe Academy and pupils from Monkton, Minster and St Nicholas-at-Wade Primary Schools also attended the event and took part in a worldwide 'Stand Against Poverty' at the same time as millions of others across the globe.

Mrs Stewart-Jones said: "Our children and young people are the future. It's so important that we teach them how Fairtrade can guarantee a better future for farmers in the Third World."