As part of UCLan’s Fairtrade fortnight, Jose Peralta, a banana producer from the Dominican Republic, visited students to explain how his community benefits from the Fairtrade scheme.

20 per cent of all bananas sold in the UK carry the Fairtrade mark, and when Sainsbury’s and Waitrose sign up in 2008, this figure is expected to increase to 25 per cent.

Jose, who is from Mao Valverde, a small village in the north east of the country, is president of ASOBANU, and represents a number of small-scale banana producers, which allows them to be part of the Fairtrade scheme.

In 2006, 80 per cent of ASOBANU’s entire banana production was sold to the Fairtrade market. This amounts to 19,700 tonnes of bananas.

During a presentation to students, Jose explained how the fair price concept of Fairtrade isn’t the only way producers benefit from the scheme.

He said: “Using the premium from Fairtrade, we have built a modern school in one of the poorest areas of the country. The pupils have something to do now and do not get into trouble anymore.”

ASOBANU receives a premium of $1.00 per box on top of the price for the bananas, which they can spend on community projects.

Jose explained: “We have built baseball and basketball courts and we have set up an electricity supply. This provides better working conditions for the banana producers.”

During a question and answer session, Jose was asked what else UCLan students could do to help his community.

He explained: “There are lots of Fairtrade products, so every time you buy Fairtrade it helps us.”

Andy Coverdale, business services manager at UCLan, then presented Jose with a cake made entirely with Fairtrade ingredients.

Andy told Jose: “We are committed to increasing the consumption of Fairtrade products here at the University of Central Lancashire.”

After making his own chocolate and banana smoothie, Jose was invited to take on the challenge of eating a banana without using his hands. He declined politely, and instead watched fine art student Andy Greenacre’s attempt.

He was then shown around the Essentials, which sells a large number of Fairtrade products, including nuts, chocolate, wine and of course, bananas.

Anne Garside is chairman of Preston and South Ribble’s Fairtrade group.

She said: “We thought it would be a good idea for Jose to visit as UCLan’s recently gained Fairtrade status.”

You can find out more about Preston’s Fairtrade group by logging on to www.fairpreston.btinternet.co.uk.