Fairtrade

The Green Fayre 2011 aimed to promote sustainable behaviours and local businesses. One important promotion for the colleges was Fairtrade.Some of the colleges are aiming to achieve Fairtrade University status so it is important to us that we get the message out to students and staff and encourage them to try something new.

One way we promoted this was through Fairtrade chocolate and cola tastings in the main marquee. The feedback from the tastings was really positive with many people stopping to purchase products after they had tried them.

These products can be bought at the Student Union shops and refectories throughout the year and the Greenthing campaign has made the decision to make all of its promotional chocolates Fairtrade.

The colleges also all took part in the Fairtrade quiz. This was available in refectories at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Birkbeck College as well as being in the main marquee. The prize offered by all colleges was a reusable takeaway mug filled with Fairtrade chocolate and Birkbeck even offered more chocolates and cola to add to this for the main prize. This is a great example of how the colleges are starting to work together to promote campaigns that they believe in.

The Fairtrade Foundation was promoted by the Birkbeck’s Student Union Bar the George – there were Fairtrade posters displayed around the bar and the bar management decided to donate 10p from each drink sold towards the foundation. This was really popular and managed to raise over £100 towards the Fairtrade Foundation.

Visit the official Fairtrade website and watch a Fair Story Video to learn more.

You can view more videos online at the Fairtrade Foundation website.

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