Fairtrade in Schools

Over 270 London schools are now working towards becoming Fairtrade schools.  Is yours?

East Sheen Primary School in Richmond won an award for their innovative Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 activity.  They did a great job of raising awareness in their community by carrying out a survey about Fairtrade in their local shops.

The project was lead by pupils who enthusiastically tried to get their local shop owners to swap to Fairtrade:

“Fairtrade helps farmers to make a better life for their families and their workers” – Thomas Colbert, East Sheen Primary School, age 7

There are fantastic resources to support Fairtrade activity in schools across the capital.  Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools, or contact volunteer@fairtradelondon.org.uk if you want to find out more.

Fairtrade on Campus

Congratulations to London’s newest Fairtrade Universities: City University London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Royal Veterinary College London and University of East London!  London now has 14 universities and colleges that have achieved Fairtrade status.

College students and sixth formers wanting ideas and support for their Fairtrade activities can also link up with People & Planet (www.peopleandplanet.org/wearfair) and Envision (www.envision.org.uk).

Dawn White, Environmental Officer, City University London:

“City University London has been selling Fairtrade products in its catering outlets and Students’ Union shop for several years now.  But as part of our overall commitment to sustainable development and corporate responsibility, we decided to go one step further by becoming a Fairtrade University.  As an educational institution, we are in an excellent position to educate our students, staff and visitors on the value of Fairtrade and what it means to them as consumers and to the growers and producers in developing countries.“

Fairtrade Supplies

Peros (www.peros.co.uk), Fairtrade Vending (www.fairtradevending.co.uk) and Epona (www.eponaclothing.com) are suppliers of Fairtrade products to universities – contact them to help get more Fairtrade on your campus.

The Good Food on the Public Plate Awards (www.sustainweb.org/goodfoodpublicplate) acknowledge organisations in London which are working to make their food more sustainable.  Among the 2010 Award winners, the following were specifically cited for their procurement efforts on Fairtrade: Redbridge Council (for schools catering); Goldsmiths University; Royal Veterinary College and Roehampton University.  Congratulations to them all!