OUR world trade and economic systems are violent. Those with no power are mercilessly exploited.

As we come to the end of Fairtrade Fortnight, do you ever think about the people who produce the food you buy in the shops?

Much of it comes from people far away, who live in extreme poverty, and receive a pittance for their labour. Maybe you think this is bad, but you can do nothing about it. In fact you can.

Many local shops sell Fairtrade products ranging from tea and coffee to bananas, fruit juice, chocolate, dried fruits, snack bars and even wine. The Fairtrade symbol guarantees a fair deal to workers in various parts of the world, and can make possible better living conditions, health care and education. If there are no Fairtrade products where you shop, why not ask for them to be stocked?

This is not charity. It is justice. Your choice can make a difference to poor people when you shop. You have some power to stop people being cheated from making a reasonable living from their work. Will you use it?

RICHARD ROSOMAN, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Malvern and St James, West Malvern.