Surrey celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight with wine and chocolate
Friday 15 February 2008
The University of Surrey will mark this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February – 9 March) with a number of events including a Fairtrade wine tasting evening and Fairtrade chocolate tasting. A variety of Fairtrade wines, kindly donated by The Co-operative, will be available to try at no cost in Roots bar on campus from 7.30 p.m. on Friday, 29 February. Staff, students and members of the public are all welcome. Staff and students will also be able to try a variety of Fairtrade chocolates in a separate event to take place on Tuesday, 4 March.
This year will be the first in which the University can celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight since being awarded Fairtrade University status in July 2007. Fairtrade Universities make a commitment to raise awareness of Fairtrade and to buy and make available Fairtrade products wherever possible.
From tea and coffee to wine and cookies, Fairtrade products are now available in ten outlets across the University campus. Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar are served at meetings catered by the University’s Hospitality Catering Service. Following an 86% yes vote from students, the Students' Union and University have both passed a Fairtrade Policy, affirming their commitment to Fairtrade.
Fairtrade is about guaranteeing disadvantaged producers in the developing world a fair and stable price for their products. This not only enables them to cover their costs, but also provides them with a sustainable livelihood so that they can support their families, send their children to school, and invest in a better future.