From modest beginnings in the 1950s, Fair Trade has developed into a worldwide movement, benefiting millions of producers, workers and their families in developing countries. Working to promote security and economic self-sufficiency Fair Trade also aims at empowering vulnerable workers and producers to become stakeholders in their own organisations and actively play a wider role to achieve greater equity in international trade.

Last year sales in Ireland grew from Euro6.5m to Euro9m, which means we're moving in the right direction. With Fairtrade products only marginally more expensive than their counterparts, it requires little effort to make the switch.

Fairtrade treats to try � Steenberg Sri Lankan spices (peppercorns, cinnamon and cloves) and organic Paraguayan sugars flavoured with pink rose petals, cinnamon and organic vanilla. Euro21 from www. oxfamirelandshop. com.

�Blakes Organic Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts, one of the range of luxurious Fairtrade chocolate bars made in Switzerland for this Irish company. They cost Euro2.99 each from good food stores including The English Market in Cork and Cavistons of Glasthule, Co Dublin.

www. blakesorganicchocolate. ie.

�Tea and coffee. Most supermarkets now stock an excellent range of Fairtrade beverages. All of Marks & Spencer's tea and coffee is Fairtrade, while Java Republic, Caf�direct, Percol, Clipper and many more offer Fair Trade options.

Log on to www. fairtrade. ie for a list of events, Fairtrade products and their availability.

Blue heaven

CREAMY, salty and pungent, Bellingham Blue is a wickedly tangy cheese made on Glyde Farm in Co Louth. Stilton fans will appreciate the texture and strength of this semi-hard cheese made from raw Friesian milk.

First produced in 2000 by Anita and Peter Thomas Bellingham Blue has scooped an armful of awards, including a gold medal at the British Cheese Awards. Serve it after dinner or cook with it - it's very versatile and appears on many restaurant menus around the country. Make a classic blue cheese pasta sauce but use BB instead of gorgonzola. Add cream, a little grated parmesan and roughly chopped walnuts and you'll have one tongue-tingling main course.

Bellingham Blue is available from Superquinn outlets and Sheridan's Cheesemongers in Dublin.

Cuba goody

WE haven't eaten here yet but are excited about Floridita's recent arrival in Dublin.

Sister to Havana's legendary cocktail bar, home of the original daiquiri, the new Dublin concept plans to brings the spirit of Cuba to Dublin via Latin American-style cuisine, contemporary Cuban music, stylish interiors, a cigar shop and jaw-dropping cocktail list.

It's all very glam, with bands flown in from Cuba to rouse your spirits and get you drinking and dancing. The menu sounds promising with Creole dressed figs, red snapper ceviche and lobster thermidor all sounding good. Canap�s like grilled mussels, pork belly and baked quail eggs sound like they might make the perfect accompaniment to a night of cocktails. Hopefully it embodies the spirit of the original, which appealed to A-listers like F Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Greta Garbo and Ava Gardner.

Irish Life Mall, Abbey St, Dublin 1, www. floridtadublin. com March is a good time to eat? Leeks, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, parsley, pears and mackerel 27Class act

FANCY brushing up on your kitchen capabilities in March? Here's our pick of the best cookery courses on offer.

�Dinner Parties for Six, a two-day course at The Dunbrody Cookery School, Dunbrody, Co Wexford, 13-14 March or 23-24 March, Euro295.

www. dunbrodyhouse. com

�Food for Friends, a two-day course at Belle Isle School of Cookery, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, 27-28 March, Euro260. www. irish-cookeryschool. com �Springtime in Italy with Ursula Ferrigno, a half-day course at Cooks' Academy, Dub Laoghaire. Co Dublin, 30 March, Euro90. www. cooksacademy. com
�Sushi made Simple, a half-day demonstration at Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry, Co Cork, 21 March, Euro105. www. cookingisfun. ie