With the announcement last week that corporate owned Ben & Jerrys plan to use 100% Fairtrade products in their ice cream by the end of 2011, all eyes will be on Fairtrade Fortnight for signs of further public support. For this year’s event, Fairtrade Fortnight are asking us to join in with The Big Swap and all you have to do is spend two weeks swapping your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. You could swap anything from coffee, tea and chocolate to jewellery and underwear!

The Big Swap is happening all over London and we’ve picked just a few of our favourite Fairtrade events happening around the city over the next two weeks. For a full list of what’s happening this Fairtrade Fortnight check out http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap or follow @FairtradeLondon on Twitter!

Fairtrade Tea Bag Giveaway @ Lewisham Library
22nd February

All libraries in the London Borough of Lewisham will be giving away a Fairtrade teabag to anyone borrowing books, CDs or DVDs during Fairtrade Fortnight while stocks last.

Lancaster London Fairtrade Liqueur Coffee Menu @ Lancaster Hotel
22nd February

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, from 22 February until 7 March 2010, the Lancaster London hotel is introducing a luxurious Fairtrade liqueur coffee menu. Each coffee will be served with a complimentary single estate Fairtrade chocolate.

Hackney Fairtrade Fortnight Launch @ Hackney Central Library
22nd February

Fairtrade Fortnight launch event  including a producer visit and speeches from the Speaker and the Mayor.

Invasion of the Tea Ladies @ Parliament Square
25th February

Join us for the Invasion of the Tea Ladies. We will all dress up as tea ladies and pose for a photo in Parliament Square before heading off to Trafalgar Square for a good ol’ fashioned tea dance. Bring your favourite mug.

Free Brownie Day!
26th February

Starbucks are celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight by offering a free Fairtrade chocolate brownie when you make the swap and get your daily coffee from Starbucks on Friday 26th February 2010 – remember to ask for the Fairtrade beans though!

Strictly Fairtrade Tea Dance @ Crispin Place in Spitalfields
February 27th

Dance demonstrations – samba, salsa, swig, Bollywood and more – and a chance for you to try too. Market stalls from a host of companies selling Fairtrade products. All hosted by Hollyoaks and Casualty star, James Redmond!

Burlesque Pantease @ The Pigalle Club
February 27th

Join Pants to Poverty for an afternoon of cheeky fun and our fairshare of scrumptious Tea and Pie! Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight and the launch of a new collection, they are raising money to free children working in cotton seed production.

Fairtrade Film Show @ Riverside Studios
February 27th

Film Show for church youth groups at Riverside Studios Hammersmith, London W6, Showing The Great African Scandal, and Blood Sweat and Tshirts. Q and A with producer Robert Beckford.