Did you know BU is one of only three 3-star Fairtrade Universities in the country? We are hosting events, a Fairtrade food bank collection and competitions as we celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight!
What is Fairtrade Fortnight?
Thousands of campaigners are getting ready across the country, ahead of Fairtrade Fortnight 2023, taking place 27 February – 12 March. This year it is focused on the climate crisis and the increasing threat it poses to some of the planet’s most beloved food products, as well as the livelihoods of the farmers and agricultural workers who grow them.
The campaign, run by Fairtrade Foundation, will show how the future survival of the world’s most popular foods – such as bananas, cocoa, and coffee – hangs in the balance unless we achieve inclusive and equitable climate solutions, with farmers and agricultural workers playing a central role in the climate response.
This year’s campaign is highlighting the message that whatever your budget and wherever you shop, when you choose Fairtrade, you support farmers to take care of the environment through Fairtrade’s price, premium and programmes.
All throughout the fortnight, you can join our activities, including:
Fairtrade food share
Fairtrade survey
Fairtrade film and guest speaker
Climate Justice Debate Challenge
The Great Fairtrade Bake Off.
You can find the full list of events below.
What can I do?
Make your uni kitchen Fairtrade. As a first step, commit to stocking only Fairtrade tea and coffee in your uni kitchen
Buy Fairtrade! Did you know that as well as your favourites, you can also buy Fairtrade versions of toffee, deodorant, wine, spices, gold and much more? This page lists Fairtrade brands you can buy in the UK (at most supermarkets)
Learn about Fairtrade. Fairtrade plays a very important role in protecting farmers financially and from climate change impacts and supporting their communities. You can find out more about Fairtrade on Fairtrade Foundation’s website.
Take part in our Fairtrade food share. We want to make sure that at this time of economic strain, everyone can enjoy and support Fairtrade. With this in mind, we’re putting out boxes in Studland House, Bournemouth Gateway Building, and the Poole House Staff Centre to collect Fairtrade and ethical products to donate in the SUBU Community Kitchen to share with our students. Simply pop any non-perishable ethical products in the boxes for them to be collected and donated to fellow students.
Take part in our Fairtrade Survey to let us know your views on Fairtrade and what you’d like to see on campus!
The Big Fairtrade Get Togethers | Monday 27 February, 6 – 7pm | Virtual
Join this live virtual event hosted by Fairtrade Foundation where we’ll hear from Fairtrade farmers and other experts on what needs to change so we can have a sustainable future for our favourite foods. There are additional timeslots available. You can sign up on the Fairtrade website.
Fairtrade film and guest speaker: ‘The Chocolate Case’ by Tony’s Chocoloney | Thursday 2 March, 7pm – 9:30pm | KG03 (Talbot Campus)
Join us, AUB and our own Film Society for a free public viewing of ‘The Chocolate Case’: the story of how the ethical and funky Tony’s Chocolonely was created. With a guest speaker from Tony’s, the story follows how the founder tried to get himself arrested before unwittingly setting up one of the most ethical brands on the market. Register for your free ticket via Eventbrite.
Local Fair Trade: Perspectives from Thailand | Friday 3 March, 10am – 11am | Virtual
Join BU’s own Dr Roberta Discetti and Sapon Pruhtpahon with Mitos Urgel, President WFT Asia & WEAVE Foundation to explore how Fairtrade is implemented and perceived within Thailand. Register for your free ticket via Eventbrite.
Tony’s Talk | Friday 3 March | 10am – 12pm | FG07, Fusion Building
Come along and hear a Tony’s talk from everyone’s favourite chocolate brand, Tony’s Chocolonely. No need to book, just turn up!
Free Fairtrade Fruit Friday | Friday 3 and Friday 10 March | BGB, Fusion Building and AUB shop.
Help yourself to a free Fairtrade banana when you buy any Fairtrade product at our outlets at Fusion Building, Bournemouth Gateway Building and the AUB shop. While stocks last.
Short film and discussion night | Tuesday 7 March, 5:30 - 6:30pm
12pm – 5pm – Koolskools short film presentation (on continuous loop): Threads A Sustainable Cotton webinar at AUB campus.
5.30pm – 6.30pm - Join representatives from our local Fairtrade Town Group for a screening of short films that explore ethical trade and discussions around the topic. Find out more and register on Eventbrite.
Fairtrade Pastry Making class (BU) | Wednesday 8 March | 3.45pm - 5:30pm | Fusion Kitchen, Ground Floor, Talbot Campus
Join a free cooking lesson and learn some top tips from our Head Chef John about using Fairtrade ingredients for a mouth-watering meal! Book via the Uni Food Hub app.
Fairtrade Festival | Thursday 9 March | AUB, Talbot Campus and Bournemouth Gateway Building
Speak to stallholders from BU and the BCP Fairtrade Town Group and join our competitions with SportBU and across out outlets to win some tasty Fairtrade treats. Stalls will be held at AUB between 10am and 11:30am, then Talbot Campus between 12pm and 1:30pm and Lansdowne Campus between 2pm and 3pm.
This will also include the ‘Find the banana’ competition – spot the inflatable banana on campus, post a social with #BournemouthFairtrade and come to the stall to collect your chocolatey prize!
The Great Fairtrade Bake Off | Thursday 9 March | Talbot Campus
Join in as BU and AUB compete in the first ever Fairtrade bake off. Who will win? To register, email [email protected]
Fairtrade Social Kitchen (AUB) | Wednesday 15 March | 3:45 - 5:30pm | Fusion Kitchen, Ground Floor, Talbot Campus
Join a free cooking lesson and learn some top tips from our Head Chef John about using Fairtrade ingredients for a mouth-watering meal! Book via the Uni Food Hub app.
