Fairtrade and Sustainable Food

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a growing international movement, which aims to alleviate Third World poverty by ensuring that producers in developing countries get a fair deal for their products. 

Fairtrade is about fairer prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.  The Fairtrade mark guarantees a price that covers the cost of production, a social premium for producer groups to invest in business or community development and long-term trading relationships which provide real security. 

By purchasing products with the Fairtrade mark you can play a significant role in improving the trading conditions of the world’s most disadvantaged producers. 

Fairtrade at the University

We have championed Fairtrade both on campus since 2009, and in the wider community as part of the Kirklees Fairtrade Forum which has secured Fairtrade Borough status for Kirklees since 2011. Over the last 2-years the University of Huddersfield and the Students’ Union have developed a partnership to champion Fairtrade at the University while working towards the redeveloped NUS Fairtrade University Award. 

The partnership has recently developed an all new to ensure the continued growth and support of Fairtrade and ethical purchasing across campus. For further information on what the University is doing to support Fairtrade please refer to the Fairtrade Policy. 

Key Achievements

Over the last 12 months the University has increased the range of Fairtrade products available to purchase and hosted a variety of events on campus. Where possible Fairtrade ingredients are incorporated into dishes served at the Huddersfood outlets, and a large proportion of tea, coffee and sugar served is now Fairtrade as standard. You can view our Fairtrade Impact 2022. 

What is the Fairtrade Universities Award? 

The Fairtrade University and College Award is a partnership scheme run by The Fairtrade Foundation and the NUS. The scheme aims to provide opportunities for universities to develop continually, year on year to become Fairtrade accredited and to progress up a tiered award system. The award introduces scope to recognise ethical sourcing and programmes that are not Fairtrade, encouraging student engagement through increased Fairtrade product range and the student auditor programme. 

How can you support Fairtrade? 

Try Fairtrade- where possible purchase Fairtrade products such as Tea, Coffee, and Sugar. You can also purchase a selection of Fairtrade chocolates and snack bars at all Huddersfood Outlets and in the Students’ Union Shop. 
Promote Fairtrade- introduce people to Fairtrade at home and on campus. Get in touch to see how you can incorporate Fairtrade into your event! 
Join in- don’t forget to look out for Fairtrade events taking place across campus, especially during Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place every February. 

Food Standards and Availability 

The University purchases and serves food in accordance with the following certificates and assurances: 

• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) 
• Fairtrade 
• Red Tractor 
• Soil Association 
• Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 

The University is committed to supporting local farmers and businesses, and where possible buys its produce locally. Many of our suppliers are from Bradford, Sheffield and York and provide us with local produce including bread, sandwiches, crisps, milk and seasonable vegetables.  

Staff Mini Allotments 

The Mini-Allotment Project located on campus gained great momentum as an educational and social space for staff throughout the summer and autumn of 2019, resulting in an increased demand for similar projects. The mini-allotments were unable to be tended by the group during the Coronavirus pandemic so the University organised to have these replanted with herbs and other edibles for the enjoyment of the whole University community as they return to campus. Thias project is currently under development to allow its’ expansion to include more staff and students at locations across the University Estate. These planters are adopted by small groups or departments, get in touch to register your interest! 

HarvestHud at Storthes Hall Park

The Allotment and Growing Society also known as HarvestHud manage the 1-acre student led allotment based at Storthes Hall Park. Students have the opportunity to get involved with a fantastic society while learning new skills and reaping the reward of the harvest. During the harvest period, staff members from out catering department get involved and help at the allotments, any excess produce is then returned to the University Kitchen when it is incorporated into meals and soups served across the University.