Harper Adams to be used as national example by the Fairtrade Foundation

Posted 22 October 2013

Harper Adams University is to be held up as a national example to encourage other higher education institutions to join the Fairtrade campaign.

The university was first awarded Fairtrade status in 2008 and has since worked hard to support, use and promote Fairtrade products.

Staff and students are currently celebrating the renewal of the university’s Fairtrade status until 2015.

To retain Fairtrade status, the university had to meet five goals, including that Fairtrade products are available in all campus shops, cafes, restaurants and at all meetings and events hosted by the university.

Other criteria included running campaigns on campus to increase the understanding of Fairtrade and setting up a Fairtrade steering group involving both staff and students.

However, the university has gone above and beyond the targets set and has also incorporated Fairtrade into a module taught to students studying both BSc (Hons) Agri-business and BSc (Hons) Business Management with Marketing.

As a result of this, the Fairtrade Foundation, the UK charity behind the Fairtrade mark, has decided to spotlight Harper Adams as an example of best practice in a guide it is putting together to urge other universities to join the Fairtrade campaign.

David Nuttall, the university’s Catering Manager and chairman of the Shropshire Fairtrade Coalition, said: “We are delighted to get our Fairtrade renewal which shows our commitment to get a fair deal for Third World country commodities that we cannot source in the UK.

“The fact the Fairtrade Foundation is using us in its new guide as best practice for other aspiring Fairtrade universities shows our holistic approach in service delivery right through to the academic curriculum.”

A spokesman for the Fairtrade Foundation said: “We are delighted to renew Harper Adams University’s Fairtrade Status and thank you for your continuing hard work and support.

“Harper Adams University is clearly committed to Fairtrade, and this shows in your success in upholding and surpassing the five goals.

“Well done – we look forward to seeing how your campaign develops and what activities you have planned in the coming year.”