Harper maintains Fairtrade status

Posted 16 June 2011

UNIVERSITIES WEEK 2011: Big Ideas for the Future

Harper Adams University College is pleased to announce that it has retained its Fairtrade status for another year.

The award was made by the Fairtrade Foundation in recognition of the University College’s continuous commitment and support of the use of Fairtrade products.

To achieve this renewal, the University College had to meet five goals, one of which was to ensure that Fairtrade products are available in all campus shops, cafes, restaurants and at internal meetings and conference events.

Another goal was to organise a series of campaigns on campus to increase the understanding of Fairtrade and consumption of the products.

Catering Manager, David Nuttall, said: “We arranged a wide variety of events for staff and students – coffee mornings, product sampling, mulled wine at sports fixtures and a Pudsey Bear raffle. We also invited Meriel Chippindale from the Fairtrade Foundation as a guest speaker.

“We are delighted to maintain this status as it recognises the commitment of the staff and students to using and promoting Fairtrade products, and in turn, supporting farmers and workers in developing countries.”

The University College, Shropshire, use and promote the Fairtrade products from abroad when produce cannot be sourced from the UK.

A spokesman for the Fairtrade Foundation, said; “Harper Adams University College is clearly committed to Fairtrade, and this shows in its success in upholding and surpassing the five goals.

“We look forward to seeing how the campaign develops and the activities planned for the coming year.”

Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.