Fairtrade at the University of St Andrews
Fairtrade Fortnight - 25th February to 10th March 2013
The University Fairtrade Steering Group will be holding lots of events and campaigns during this fortnight. Those confirmed so far include:
- Just Trading Talk - 28th February, School 3, 7pm start. Come and hear John Riches talk about Fairtrade, Africa and fairly traded rice!
- Staff Coffee Morning - 1st March, Parliament Hall, drop in from 9.30am to 12noon for Fairtrade coffees, teas, juices and cookies
Fairtrade News
- We have a newly created facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FairtradeInStAndrews to help distribute information about campaigns and events to students, staff and the wider St Andrews community.
- This great Scottish Fairtrade Booklet (PDF, 3,813 KB) gives lots of information about fairtrade in Scotland and features a couple of St Andrews cafes!
What is Fairtrade?
Fair trade is a growing, international movement working to ensure that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a sustainable living); long-term contracts which provide real security; and, for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.
We can all make socially responsible choices. Just think of all the tea, coffee and chocolate you consume in a week. By purchasing fair trade products you can play a significant role in improving the trading conditions of the most disadvantaged producers.
Fairtrade University Status
The University first achieved Fairtrade University Status in April 2006, by meeting a number of criteria set by the Fairtrade Foundation. This status was renewed more recently in 2010 and again in 2012. The date for the next renewal is February 2014.
Have a look at the University Fairtrade Policy (PDF, 907 KB)
Fairtrade refreshments are served at meetings, and we work closely with the Students Association's groups and the St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign Group to raise awareness of fair trade issues among staff and students.
Joint Fairtrade Steering Group Minutes
FT Minutes - 4th December 2012 (Word, 24 KB)
FT Minutes - 15th October 2012 (Word, 41 KB)
JFTSG Minutes April 2010 (PDF, 63 KB)
JFTSG Minutes Sept 2010 (PDF, 79 KB)
Fairtrade Products
A wide range of Fairtrade products can be bought at various outlets around the University (as below).
| Outlet | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Old Union Diner | Coffee | Café Ecosse |
| Tea | Café Ecosse | |
| Hot chocolate | Café Ecosse | |
| Sugar | Café Ecosse | |
| Bananas | Bananamiel | |
| Apple and orange juice (when possible) | Café Ecosse | |
| BESS at Students' Union | Organic butterscotch chocolate bar | Green & Blacks |
| Organic white chocolate bar | Green & Blacks | |
| Organic maya gold chocolate bar | Green & Blacks | |
| Loose-fitting T-shirts - black, navy and white | Epona | |
| Fitted T-shirts - pink, green, white, blue, bright blue, navy, red and black | Epona | |
| Hooded sweatshirts (3 designs) - grey, red, green, black, blue, bright blue, navy, pink, white | Epona | |
| Beatons | Coffee | Café Ecosse |
| Tea | Café Ecosse | |
| Hot chocolate | Café Ecosse | |
| Sugar | Café Ecosse | |
| Bananas | Bananamiel | |
| Apple and orange juice (when possible) | Café Ecosse | |
| Halls of residence | Orange and apple juice | Greenleaf |
| Tea | Café Bar | |
| Coffee | Café Bar | |
| Sugar | Café Bar | |
| Chocolate bars | Green & Blacks |
This information is correct as of July 2010.
St Andrews achieved Fairtrade Town Status in December 2005. For further information, including where to buy Fairtrade products in St Andrews, please take a look at the St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign website.
How do I know if I'm buying fair trade products?
The Fairtrade Mark provides an independent guarantee to consumers that farmers in developing countries get a fair deal for their products. Products currently covered by the Mark are coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, honey, bananas, sugar, orange juice, and mangoes. Also where any of these products are the key ingredient in another product, for example snack bars.
Please note: the term 'Fairtrade' (as opposed to fair trade) refers to the specific labelling system controlled by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and its member organisations. In the UK, the member organisation of FLO is the Fairtrade Foundation.
If a product is making a fair trade claim but it doesn't carry the Fairtrade Mark you can be sure their claim is genuine if they belong to the International Federation of Alternative Trade (IFAT), whose members have a mission to tackle poverty through trade. Take a look at the IFAT website for a list of members.
Find out more
To find out more about fair trade, see Oxfam's fair trade web pages or visit the Fairtrade Foundation's website , the Scottish Fair Trade Forum's website, or the Traidcraft website.