Staff and students will be encouraged to swap their usual morning cup of tea or lunchtime banana for Fairtrade versions when they get involved in this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February to 7 March).
Fairtrade Fortnight is the annual campaign of the Fairtrade Foundation to promote awareness and sales of products carrying the Fairtrade Mark‚ ensuring producers in developing nations receive a fair deal. This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is asking the nation to join in ‘The Big Swap’‚ swapping your usual drink‚ snack or clothing item for a Fairtrade version.
The University’s catering outlets have various promotions during Fairtrade Fortnight across all its six campuses including free drinks‚ daily meal deals and a special Fairtrade competition with a chance for customers to win a hamper full of Fairtrade goodies.
The Students’ Union will also have a number of activities during Fairtrade Fortnight‚ such as information stands‚ a Fairtrade-themed quiz‚ and a local producers market with Fairtrade stalls. The Union’s Environment and Ethics website will also feature an online map showing students where they can buy Fairtrade produce.
Nick Beall, the Students’ Union Environment and Ethics Officer, comments: “Asking people to swap their usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas or their usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa is a brilliantly small step to making the world a fairer place.
“Buying products with the Fairtrade logo is really important as it guarantees that producers get a fair deal. Students are often very active in environmental and ethics issues and want to buy Fairtrade. Fairtrade Fortnight is a great way to let more people know about the issues and other ways they can help.”
For full details about Fairtrade Fortnight at the University of Southampton, please visit www.enviro.susu.org
Both the University and its Students’ Union are committed to supporting, using and promoting Fairtrade wherever possible and have been accredited with Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation fo rth last five years.