Fairtrade and Sustainable Food

Sustainable Food

The University of Huddersfield’s Catering department works closely with the Sustainability Team to ensure that possible sustainable choices are made when it comes to the provision of food on campus. The University prides itself on offering students, staff, and visitors a variety of healthy, sustainable, and cost-effective options when visiting our Huddersfood outlets.

The University supports a variety of projects including the Fairtrade University Award, The Staff Allotments, Storthes Hall Allotment, and purchases in accordance with a variety of food standards and assurances. You can check out the Fairtrade Policy and Action Plan to find out more about the campaign below.

Huddersfood has 10 outlets across campus, all of which serve a selection of hot and cold beverages. Vegetarian ad Vegan options are available from all outlets however you can also find the PETA recognised Veggie Hut at No. 10 located on Level 1 of Harold Wilson, where you can find a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

Sustainable Food Policy

How the University's Catering Service will embed sustainability into its operations

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Fairtrade Policy

The University assigns great importance to its global impact, and therefore is committed to supporting, and promoting Fairtrade

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Fairtrade Action Plan

Action plan for implementing Fairtrade at the University

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Water Availability

Staying hydrated has been proven to help the general health and cognitive function in students. The University provides water fountains located across our campus and, unless otherwise identified, water from kitchenettes is also drinkable.

Due to coronavirus protocols the current advice is to bring your own refillable and sealable water bottle on to campus to reduce the potential routes of virus transfer, these may be filled from water fountains or suitable taps.

As the use of campus increases this advice will continue to reduce the number of single-use cups that may be used.

If you have any accessibility issues in using or locating water fountains, please speak to a member of catering staff or at iPoint and they will help you.

In working towards becoming an accredited Fairtrade University, we are actively working towards goals, 1, 2, 5, and 8 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In working towards becoming an accredited Fairtrade University, we are actively working towards goals, 12, 13, 16 and 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a growing international movement, which aims to alleviate Third World poverty by ensuring that producers in developing countries get a fair deal for their products.

Fairtrade is about fairer prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. The Fairtrade mark guarantees a price that covers the cost of production, a social premium for producer groups to invest in business or community development and long-term trading relationships which provide real security.

By purchasing products with the Fairtrade mark you can play a significant role in improving the trading conditions of the world’s most disadvantaged producers.

Fairtrade at the University

We have championed Fairtrade both on campus since 2009, and in the wider community as part of the Kirklees Fairtrade Forum which has secured Fairtrade Borough status for Kirklees since 2011. Over the last 2-years the University of Huddersfield and the Students’ Union have developed a partnership to champion Fairtrade at the University while working towards the redeveloped NUS Fairtrade University Award.

The partnership has recently developed an all new to ensure the continued growth and support of Fairtrade and ethical purchasing across campus. For further information on what the University is doing to support Fairtrade please refer to the Fairtrade Policy.

Key Achievements

Over the last 12 months the University has increased the range of Fairtrade products available to purchase and hosted a variety of events on campus. Where possible Fairtrade ingredients are incorporated into dishes served at the Huddersfood outlets, and a large proportion of tea, coffee and sugar served is now Fairtrade as standard. You can view our Fairtrade Impact 2022.

What is the Fairtrade Universities Award?

The Fairtrade University and College Award is a partnership scheme run by The Fairtrade Foundation and the NUS. The scheme aims to provide opportunities for universities to develop continually, year on year to become Fairtrade accredited and to progress up a tiered award system. The award introduces scope to recognise ethical sourcing and programmes that are not Fairtrade, encouraging student engagement through increased Fairtrade product range and the student auditor programme.

How can you support Fairtrade?

Try Fairtrade- where possible purchase Fairtrade products such as Tea, Coffee, and Sugar. You can also purchase a selection of Fairtrade chocolates and snack bars at all Huddersfood Outlets and in the Students’ Union Shop.
Promote Fairtrade- introduce people to Fairtrade at home and on campus. Get in touch to see how you can incorporate Fairtrade into your event!
Join in- don’t forget to look out for Fairtrade events taking place across campus, especially during Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place every February.