Employees of Renfrewshire Council have sold over 100 bags of rice for a special Fairtrade challenge to help the children of Malawi.
The Kilombero rice was sold to employees by adding it to the lunchtime soup and by encouraging colleagues to buy a bag of rice to take home.
Promoted by Just Trading Scotland (JTS), the 90kg rice challenge initiative makes enough money for a Malawian farmer to send one child to high school for a year.
Chair of Renfrewshire’s Fairtrade Steering Group, Councillor Jim Sharkey, said: “The 90kg rice challenge was a fun and innovative way for us to help Fairtrade and to fund a child’s education in Malawi.
“Renfrewshire Council has always been committed to supporting Fairtrade and promoting fairness and sustainability for farmers both at home and abroad.
“We work in partnership with a range of local organisations, and do our utmost to promote Fairtrade among our staff, customers and communities so that they understand the value of the campaign.
“It is great to know you are making a difference to someone’s life and we hope that we have encouraged people to be more conscious of their choices when they are shopping and choose Fairtrade.”
Just Trading Scotland Executive Board Member, Malcolm Shannon, said: “JTS are delighted that Renfrewshire council has been one of the many groups to complete the 90kg Rice Challenge. Over three tonnes of Fair Trade rice has been sold in Renfrewshire to date, which is enough to enable 30 children to receive a year’s education in Malawi.”
To find out more about the 90kg rice challenge, visit www.justtradingscotland.co.uk.