World In Your Lunch Box

15 Oct 2005

Belgrave Library hosted The World In Your Lunch Box, an event aimed at promoting healthy eating, fair trade and Leicester’s links around the world. The event, held during ‘Family Learning Week’ was organised by the Leicester Masaya Link Group and Just…Leicester’s Fair Trade Shop. Claire Plumb, development worker for the Leicester Masaya Link Group, noted that the event would take place at time when the government was also encouraging children to eat healthy foods and avoid ‘junk’ food at school.
Nutritious foods using fair trade ingredients had been displayed. This included dried fruits, peanut butter sandwiches, banana cake, orange juice and fresh fruits such as oranges, mangoes and pineapples. The displays explained production of the food, and show case-studies of farmers around the world. Leicester, which is a fair trade city, has links around the world because of its diverse population. Some of the foods displayed were produced by farmers in Central America, Africa and India. Visitors were able to taste the foods at the library. “With fair trade snacks to taste and things to make, the activities were fun and was a free way for families to find out about Leicester's links around the world in the comfort of their local library!'” said Claire “A similar event at the library in May was a major success.
“The idea promoted healthy eating, which has been a topical subject for some time now. We are happy to play our part at local level but with an emphasis on fair trade products. Not only are they healthy foods, but farmers who produce them around the world get fair prices for their produce. You eat the produce with a clear conscience.”
Products to be used for the Make and Taste session were supplied by the Just Shop and the Co-op in Leicester. Children were also able to participate in an art session, drawing, cutting and pasting their favourite fair trade items to create the perfect lunch box. Recipe and information sheets were available for all.