Bangor University is celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight again this year.
Placed eighth in the world’s Global Green League of Universities for its commitment to sustainability, Bangor is always keen to engage staff and students in thinking about how to constantly improve the University’s sustainability commitment, with a range of activities being promoted to encourage staff and students to get involved with Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until Sunday, March 10.
The highlight of this year’s events will be the ‘Fairtrade Pudding Club’ on Thursday evening in Pontio , where for just £5 a ticket customers will enjoy a Fairtrade hot drink with a trio of fantastic Fairtrade puddings made by chef David Sharpe.
Angela Church, head of catering commented: “A large group of students from Campus Life will be attending and we hope members of Bangor City Fairtrade group will be joining us too.”
During Fairtrade Fortnight students are being encouraged to cook and purchase Fairtrade foods and goods.
The university’s Campus Life team and catering teams are working to deliver themed events such as quiz nights and board games nights with Fairtrade snacks, to encouraging students to choose Fairtrade products. Free fruit give-away days will encourage healthy eating and students also have opportunities to sample Fairtrade hot chocolate and learn how to cook Fairtrade brownies and pancakes.
Commenting on the fact that the university’s Fairtrade status, won in 2009 was re-accredited in 2018, Angela added: “We are now looking to further communicate about Fairtrade with the help of the Students Union. These days a lot of people assume Fairtrade is a given: that is not the case.”
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Deirdre McIntyre, head of residential life, said: “We hope students, staff and the public will support our activities. A simple step such as purchasing Fairtrade goods, available in all campus shops and university outlets, can enable farmers in some of the world’s poorest communities to earn a sustainable income and invest in projects which benefit their locality.”
In 2018 the catering department served over 50,000 Fairtrade hot drinks and university cafes sold over 100,000 Fairtrade hot drinks.
