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To mark the city's 10th anniversary of becoming a Fairtrade city, pupils were invited to take part in a writing and poster competition, under the theme of 'why Fairtrade is important'.
And the 13 winners, from Wolverhampton Girls' High, Smestow, Christ Church Church of England Junior and St Teresa's Catholic Primary schools were presented with their £35 cash prizes each and hampers for their schools at a Mayoral reception held on Friday (7 March).
Prizes were sponsored by Wolverhampton West and Bilston Rotary Club and Midcounties Co-op. The reception, hosted by Wolverhampton Mayor Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, was also attended by supporters and members of the city's Fairtrade Partnership and former Government minister Clare Short, who was Secretary of State for International Development in 2004 when Wolverhampton first achieved Fairtrade City status.
Six schools in the city have now achieved Fairtrade Status with several more working towards it.
Councillor Jaspal said: "I am very impressed with the standard of the entries and all the children who took part in the competition should be proud of their creativity.
"It is pleasing to see that young people are learning the importance of Fairtrade, its values and the importance of continually supporting this movement.
"We are delighted to have reached our 10th anniversary as a Fairtrade city and I congratulate all organisations in Wolverhampton who have supported us to achieve this."
Sehdev Bismal MBE, Chair of the Wolverhampton Fairtrade Partnership said, "To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the city's Fairtrade status shows the commitment of our people - schools, churches, businesses and the University - to helping poor farmers and producers in developing countries. Fairtrade is a noble cause and I hope we will continue to progress even more in the years to come."
The city was first awarded Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation in 2004, and has successfully upheld it continuously every 2 years.
At a council meeting last month, the authority reaffirmed its commitment to Fairtrade.
The authority also marked national Fairtrade fortnight, which ran until 7 March, by offering Fairtrade products at the Civic Centre counter and Bert Williams Leisure Centre.
In addition, the Wolverhampton Fairtrade Partnership held a Fairtrade stall at the Civic Centre where staff and visitors were able to buy a range of goods.
- released: Tuesday 11 March, 2014