The University of Exeter - Hospitality Services -

University gains Fairtrade Status

The University of Exeter has gained full Fairtrade status for the products sold on its campuses.
Students and staff can now buy anything from chocolate and coffee to sugar to wine which carries the Fairtrade label.

The Fairtrade Mark is the only independent consumer label that ensures farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow, as well as investing in community projects such as education and healthcare.

Phil Rees-Jones, Assistant Director of Hospitality Services said

‘Achieving Fair Trade status is part of our long term strategy to recognise corporate responsibility and sustainability. The University is part of a growing number of organisations who recognise consumers are influenced when purchasing goods by both corporate responsibility and personal ethics’.

Fairtrade products have been widely available in the University’s shops and food outlets since February 2004 and have now met the 5 stringent targets required by the Fairtrade Foundation to receive full accreditation. These include committing to sell Fairtrade products in all outlets, providing fairtrade products at all internal meetings and events and continuing to promote the Fairtrade brand.
There is widespread support amongst staff and students for Fairtrade products. Exeter students have previously organised a Fairtrade Acoustic Night, a video petition to Ben Bradshaw and a day in which they dressed as bananas and gorillas to hand out Fairtrade products on the High Street.

The University’s use of Fairtrade products will be highlighted by a special series of free Fairtrade tastings, which are to take place on Monday 3rd December in all University and Guild shops and retail outlets.