Fair Trade
Why become a fair trade university?
The consumer choices we make on campus matter. Each item we choose to purchase can have a positive, powerful impact throughout the supply chain. As a community of 58,000 consumers, we can make a world of difference. By choosing Fairtrade products, this helps reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability, and make a real difference to the lives of farmers and communities in the developing world and beyond.
Making the change to 100% Fairtrade kitchenette consumables
Following the leadership of a group of students in 2011, the University gained Fairtrade accreditation in May 2013. A requirement to maintain accreditation, is that Fairtrade certified tea and coffee are the default options at all University meetings and kitchenettes. Currently, only 5% of kitchenette consumables are Fairtrade products.
In 2018, aligning with the University’s Sustainability Plan, the University Chancellery Executive approved moving to 100% Fairtrade kitchen consumables – this includes tea, coffee, drinking chocolate, sugar and soap.
Fair trade products
The FAIRTRADE mark guarantees a product meets independently certified, international fair trade social, economic and environmental standards. They also meet agreed developmental and labour standards.
The University also accepts Rainforest Alliance and UTZ as alternative accreditations that meet these vital standards. For more information please visit their respective websites below:
How can I get involved?
Choose fair trade. Use fair trade. And join in Fair Trade Fortnight in May each year - Australia's biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade.
What does becoming a fair trade university mean for me?
A fair trade university supports and promotes fair trade products on campus.
At Melbourne, students and staff will enjoy greater choice through fair trade options – for coffee, tea, chocolate, and other products – for those who prefer to buy or consume fair trade products.
As part of our fair trade commitment, the University will:
- Stock fair trade tea and coffee in at least 50% of kitchenettes across campus
- Serve fair trade tea and coffee in Council and Senior Executive meetings
- Encourage other cafes and outlets to offer fair trade options, and
- Over time, look at fair trade alternatives for products such as clothing and sports equipment
- Let you know which cafes on campus offer fair trade tea and coffee
For farmers, workers and their families in the developing world, our fair trade choices will translate into fairer prices, decent working conditions, better terms of trade, more income and greater control over life. Choosing fair trade also helps promote greater investment in quality and local environmental sustainability.
Fairtrade Australia New Zealand Campaigns
- World Fairtrade Day – 11th May 2019
- Fairtrade Fortnight – 2nd - 15th August 2019
More information about Fairtrade Australia New Zealand Campaigns can be found at: http://fairtrade.com.au/en-au/get-involved/our-campaigns
The Fairtrade Steering Committee is looking for passionate and committed students to join and ensure the University of Melbourne remains a leading institution in sustainability.
The committee meets for one hour, quarterly, to discuss strategic priorities and issues facing the University in meeting its commitment and accreditation to Fairtrade.
Actions are taken, led and managed by student groups between meetings. Students with skills in event management, communications and partnerships are particularly encouraged to apply.
To express interest, send 150 words on why you care about Fairtrade and why you would like to be involved in the Fairtrade Steering Committee, alongside your CV/resume by 5pm Monday, 11th March to sustainable-campus@unimelb.edu.au
Fair Trade Committee Dates
For more information about getting involved and any of the dates, please contact us.
Committee Documents
- Minutes Fair Trade 19 September 2018.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 20 March 2018.pdf
- Minutes-Fair-Trade-15-Nov-2017.pdf
- Minutes-Fair-Trade-14-Sep-2017.pdf
- Minutes-Fair-Trade-01-Aug-2017.pdf
- Minutes-Fair-Trade-16-May-2017.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 28 Mar 2017.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 11 April 2016.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 15 Feb 2016.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 09 Nov 2015.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 13 April 2015.pdf
- Minutes Fair Trade 09 Feb 2015.pdf
For farmers, workers and their families in the developing world, our fair trade choices will translate into fairer prices, decent working conditions, better terms of trade, more income and greater control over life.
Choosing fair trade also helps promote greater investment in quality and local environmental sustainability.
I'm happy because I have a lot of time in my kiosk... the time I was wasting going to fetch water I've saved and I'm also saving money from the kitchen garden and from the dairy, the milk has increased... after the tank has come I have saved some money. Teresa Kurgat
It's not just a coffee bean, it is a vehicle for peace within our homes and education through the Fairtrade principles, so we really need to look at all the important benefits we've had from Fairtrade, mainly us producers. Teresa Riviera Palacios
We experienced very difficult times when we weren't in Fairtrade. We didn't have the resources to provide an education for my children and the banana business barely provided enough for basic meals... Being in Fairtrade makes me very happy, knowing that there are opportunities to achieve some of the goals I had planned. Albeiro Alfonso ‘Foncho’ Cantillo
Initially I used to get less than one bag of maize but after I received the fertilizer this year I managed to get up to 10 bags of maize... but now with fertilizer I’ve got enough food for my kids. Rahel Mhabuka
