The South West Fair Trade Business Awards recognise organisations who are leading the way in championing Fair Trade. The University of Bristol is promoting ethical and sustainable supply chains across its services from Hospitality to retail in the SU. These championing actions are not only contributing towards achieving official recognition as a Fair Trade University but are also contributing towards the city of Bristol achieving a Gold Sustainable Food Cities award.  

Hospitality and Catering have long been dedicated to promoting sustainable supply chains. For example, all catering providers and licensed premises offer Fair Trade certified fruit, juice, tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and wine as standard. The Student’s Union is also involved in these sustainable procurement progressions and is also looking at retail with The Basket SU shop ensuring 50% if garments available are made of Fairtrade certified cotton.  

Moreover, the University is continuing to engage students and staff with Fair Trade. For example, two pop-up stalls were hosted during Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 at Tyndall Avenue to engage students and staff with 2019’s campaign ‘She Deserves’ which focused on achieving a fair price for female farmers’ cocoa produce. The two stalls engaged 150 people and received 100 entries into a competition to win a Fairtade hamper. At the end of the fortnight, Sustainability hosted a film evening at the SU Living Room at Senate house with 25 attendees enjoying delicious Fair Trade banana cake and chocolate!