Fairtrade university
Follow the University of Plymouth's progress toward Fairtrade accreditation
The University of Plymouth is dedicated to maintaining our Fairtrade accreditation.
This commitment involves advocating for fair prices, improving working conditions, promoting local sustainability, and ensuring Fairtrade terms for farmers and workers in our procurement processes and supplier partnerships.
Commitment of intent to support and champion Fairtrade
At the University of Plymouth, we are fully committed to supporting and championing Fairtrade and its values across our campus and community. We recognise the importance of ethical sourcing and fair-trading practices in promoting social justice, environmental sustainability and global equity.
As part of this commitment, we will:
- Follow the Fairtrade Principles of better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers, both within the UK and elsewhere.
- Purchase produce with the Fairtrade mark where viable. This reassures us that the product was produced in an ethical, sustainable and socially responsible way.
- Embed Fairtrade and ethical trade principles into our education, research and engagement activities, integrating global citizenship, sustainability, and social justice themes across our curriculum and learning experiences.
- Champion the benefits of Fairtrade, trade justice and ethical consumption within our staff, student and local communities, and provide practical opportunities for them to play a part through the choices they make.
Through these actions, the University of Plymouth aims to contribute to a fairer world where producers are empowered, communities thrive, and the planet is respected.
Fairtrade survey results
Two University interns developed a scoping survey to assess Fairtrade awareness and understanding among students and staff. The results provide valuable insight into how Fairtrade is perceived across campus.
Explore the findings to see how the University of Plymouth has responded, the actions we’ve taken, what we’ve achieved so far, and how these insights continue to shape our future Fairtrade initiatives.
Global Recipe Book
In 2025, we invited students and staff at the University to submit recipe ideas for the second edition of our Global Recipe Book.
We’re excited to share diverse recipes from around the world, complete with information and tips highlighting the benefits of Fairtrade.
Events
In recognition and celebration of Fairtrade, we annually observe Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of events, promotions, and competitions. Stay updated on upcoming
campus cafes events or follow us on Facebook.
Celebrate Fairtrade – Community Day Out
Thursday 23 April | 13:00 - 15:00
Sustainability Hub, University of Plymouth
Join us for a relaxed and welcoming Fairtrade community event at the University of Plymouth! Celebrate our commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and positive social impact. Enjoy engaging talks from Fairtrade suppliers, Owens Coffee, and KoolSkools, along with Fairtrade Clipper Tea refreshments and delicious treats.
Bring a cake for our Fairtrade Bake-Off (using Fairtrade ingredients where possible) or make a donation to the Fairtrade Foundation - both are completely optional. This family-friendly event is perfect for anyone interested in supporting Fairtrade initiatives and learning how the University is making a difference.
Get involved
We are seeking students interested in sustainable living and Fairtrade practices to join our working group dedicated to achieving Fairtrade accreditation and promoting ethical and fair practices throughout our services.
Here's how you can participate:
Attend Fairtrade-themed events on campus, which you can find listed on our
campus cafes events page or via our Facebook page.
Join our Fairtrade University working group to contribute to our objectives for accreditation status. We welcome student contributions and event ideas. For more information, please contact fairtrade@plymouth.ac.uk.
Explore Fairtrade, trade justice, or ethical consumption issues as part of your coursework or dissertations, both on and off-campus.
If you're a local school, college, or business interested in support from the University of Plymouth to explore or achieve Fairtrade accreditation, please email us at fairtrade@plymouth.ac.uk.
Continue to champion Fairtrade through your purchases both on and off campus. If you're interested in getting involved or hosting an event, please reach out to us at fairtrade@plymouth.ac.uk.
Join the Fairtrade Student Group
Do you want to support Fairtrade, take action for farmers’ rights, and help tackle climate change? At the University of Plymouth, we’re proud to be a Fairtrade accredited university, and we need passionate students like you to make a difference. By joining our Fairtrade Student Group, you can:
- promote ethical and sustainable food on campus
- support farmers and producers worldwide
- take part in campaigns and events during Fairtrade Fortnight and beyond
- gain valuable experience in sustainability and advocacy.
Interested? Contact fairtrade@plymouth.ac.uk to get involved and start making a positive impact today.
Fairtrade food and drink on campus
Fairtrade as standard
- Fairtrade coffee, sugar, and bananas are regularly available across campus and in our catering services, with the exception of Loafers Deli, which serves C.A.F.E. Practices-certified coffee.
- In January 2025, Owens Coffee became our majority coffee supplier, now serving 9 out of 10 campus cafés. Their beans are Fairtrade and organic certified and roasted just 11.7 miles from campus, ensuring freshness while supporting a local business.
Fairtrade drinks and ingredients
- At Reservoir Café and Drake’s Kitchen, enjoy hot drinks crafted with Fairtrade syrups in caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut flavours.
- Discover a wide selection of teas, including Fairtrade Clipper Tea, as well as Organic, Fair for Life and Ethical Tea Partnership options. From fruity infusions to classic English breakfast blends, there’s something for every tea lover. We are working towards adopting Clipper Tea as standard across all cafés from September 2026.
- Try Karma Drinks at The Container Café, supporting positive change by donating 1% of revenue from every drink to Cola nut growers and their communities in Sierra Leone.
- Enjoy Lemonaid and ChariTea at John Bull Café, Reservoir Café and the Library Café. These Fairtrade-certified drinks are made with organic ingredients and aim to empower communities with every bottle purchased.
- Enjoy a refreshing fruity drink with Fairtrade Orange or Apple Juice Burst at Reservoir Café, The Library Café, Babbage Bytes, Drake’s Kitchen, and John Bull Café.
Fairtrade food and hospitality
- Our Hospitality Service prepares baked goods and cakes for The Container Café, Drake’s Kitchen, and campus events, using Callebaut chocolate with Cocoa Horizons certification, Fairtrade bananas, and our new sweet-filled croissants from Loafers Deli, drizzled with Divine White Chocolate.
- Treat yourself to handmade Divine chocolate and Fairtrade banana muffins at The Container Café – a delicious way to support ethical sourcing.
- We’ve expanded our Fairtrade drinks range in Hospitality by adding Fairtrade Chenin Blanc and Pinotage wines.
By choosing Fairtrade on campus, you’re helping to support ethical farming, sustainable practices, and positive social impact– every single day.
Owens Coffee
100% Fairtrade, always… As you know, we have an unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability and ethics, demonstrated through our long partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation. Our sourcing approach has helped our coffee growers and those who depend on them evolve farming and commercial practices to ensure livelihoods into the future, despite the challenges they face from commodity market fluctuations and climatic change. Perhaps one of the best examples is our Jabulani Project in partnership with Jabo Butera of Plymouth’s Diversity Business Incubator and the Twongerekawa Coko women’s Cooperative in Northern Rwanda. All sales help ensure the mountain communities surrounding the plantation are supported in ways that allow them to thrive and encourage the next generation of young farmers.
Cafes on campus
We offer sustainable, locally-sourced fresh food and drink in ten cafes across the city-centre campus and the north campus, including John Bull Cafe.
Email sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk if you'd like to be part of the Fairtrade Steering Group.
