Struggling farmers in developing countries and local producers will benefit from promotion during Thanet’s Fairtrade Fortnight from Monday,February 23, to Sunday, March 8.

There will be an interesting range of events with appeal for all ages during the event, starting with Thanet Fairtrade Initiative’s dinner at Quex Barn on Tuesday (February 24).

This will also mark the launch of the 2009 Thanet Fairtrade Isle Guide, produced in conjunction with the Kent Messenger Group.

Let’s Go Bananas In Thanet (LGBIT) will be a highlight of the fortnight with plenty of family fun on Saturday, March 7, from 11am-4pm at Victoria Gardens, Broadstairs.

TFI chairman Tammy Stewart-Jones will speak on kmfm on Wednesday, February 25 and judging of the Fairtrade Schools Imagination project will take place on Friday, February 27.

There will be a Fairtrade coffee morning and sale of goods at Minster Abbey on Sunday, March 1 from 11am-12.30pm.

On Friday, March 6, there will be a market for Fairtrade and local produce in Birchington and that night at 6.30pm, will be the presentations of awards at Birchington Primary School to winners in the Fairtrade Schools Imagination project.

Fairtrade Fortnight will draw to a close with a thanksgiving service at the chapel at Holy Trinity Church, Cliftonville on Sunday, March 8 at 3pm.

Bananas will rule at LGBIT which will take place at Victoria Gardens, Broadstairs, from 11am-4pm on March 7, sponsored by the Co-Op.

Munching as many of the favourite fast food fruit as possible will be a priority from 11am to noon as part of national Fairtrade event.

There will be bananas galore available throughout the day in food, drink and smoothie form.

There will be Co-Op food tasting, wine tasting and craft and food stands.

Special features will be children’s storyteller H Patten from Music For Change and visiting Colombian coffee producer Rosa Helena Lopez De Soto.

For more details on TFI,visit www.thanetfairtrade.org.uk