Fairtrade and Food

Fairtrade works with many global stakeholders advocating policies, procedures and practices that ensure trade is fair.

Trade injustices affect the poorest and weakest producers and Fairtrade seeks to correct these injustices through ensuring sustainable prices, decent working conditions, localised trade and fair terms for developing countries.

We’re a member of the Fairtrade scheme and ensure the following:

• Fairtrade implementation group met three times and discussed the submission of evidence for the March 2020 application.
• AUB teamed with BCP and Capital School of English for a Fairtrade event where students (of Capital school) undertook surveys and presentation.
• Senior Campus Services Officer spoke of Fairtrade at AUB Human talk.
• AUBSU Tote bag painting
• Fairtrade window advertisement placed in Shop window and Refectory
• Fairtrade signage placed in Staff Common Room, catering and other Hub areas
• AUBSU Fairtrade chocolate stall
• A SMART plan has been created for the 2019/20 year and will be updated on an annual basis

We’re committed to ensuring that healthy and sustainable food is available to students, staff and visitors. This means that the food served on campus is traceable, freshly prepared and locally sourced where possible.

Across our outlets on campus, we ensure that:

• All whole (shell and hard-boiled), liquid and dried eggs (if applicable) purchased are from a free-range production system
• No fish is served that appears on the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) ‘red list’ and serve MSC-certified fish, maximising the use of fish from the MCS ‘fish to eat’ list
• Menus change with the availability of seasonal produce with at least two major items per dish served in the season in which they are naturally abundant
• We use only 100% Red Tractor Assured meat and dairy products and follow Feel Good Food Days guidance on meat and dairy portions
• Only 100% organic milk is purchased.
• We use Honest Bean triple-certified coffee (Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and organic)
• Locally sourced ingredients are incorporated into daily menus.

Coffee cup surcharge

We’ve just introduced a 30p coffee cup surcharge to encourage students and staff to bring reusable containers and reduce waste.

Our catering contract is with Chartwells who is part of the Compass Group UK. Their environmental responsibilities can be viewed in full on their website.

Water

We provide free drinking water to all students, staff and visitors through our AquAid contract – encouraging the use of reusable water bottles. Their environmental responsibilities, aid and Trusts they support can be found on their website.

Herb garden

AUB provides a herb garden for caterers to use in the kitchen. However, all are welcome to use and support.