By Danielle Storey – Contributor

Around the world, October is recognized as Fairtrade Month. Bishop’s is a Fairtrade dedicated campus, with its efforts coordinated by its’ Fair Trade committee. The committee ensures the university offers a variety of Fairtrade products and hosts events to increase awareness of the movement. 

A product that is labelled Fairtrade means that producers are assured safe work conditions, fair treatment and fair compensation for their labour. On the Bishop’s campus, all coffee, tea, and hot chocolate offered are certified Fairtrade, providing you an authentic taste but also a pledge that those who produced the coffee in your hands were not taken advantage of. 

For Fairtrade month, the Sustainable Development Office and the Fairtrade committee on campus have organized several events and conferences to educate the students and faculty on the Fairtrade movement. 

On Oct. 13, Fairtrade Canada held a conference where Loïc de Fabritus Gauthier, senior manager of advocacy and citizen engagement, discussed the history of Fairtrade, the need for the movement, and the ten principles of Fairtrade that are closely linked to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. 

One of the topics he discussed was the three pillars of sustainability and how Fairtrade fits into all of them. In the economic pillar, Loic noted that it is important to buy Fairtrade to increase the market access of products that are available. He also noted that there is a minimum price that Fairtrade products must be marked as. He compared their prices with non-Fairtrade prices, and all were relatively similar. Describing the environmental pillar, he explained that Fairtrade products do not use any chemicals or pesticides, and they promote eco-friendly cultivation. Some products are even entirely organic. He concluded by speaking on the social pillar. Loic clarified that for any producers involved in Fairtrade, there are fair compensations, safe working conditions and equality in the company. Some premiums are even associated with improving production and education on the topic. 

Another event to look forward to this month is the Sustainable Development Office’s Farmer’s Market on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. They will be offering fresh produce from local farms, hosting local artists and selling local artwork. Members from the Carrefour de Solidarité Internationale will also be there to answer questions about Fairtrade. The Farmer’s Market is an event that will not only promote Fairtrade but also encourage staff and students to buy locally and support the local economy. It will be held at the white gazebo beside the library. Come support your peers and the local economy!

There will be kiosks on Oct. 19, 30 and 31 to encourage students to buy Fairtrade, teach them how to shop sustainably on and off campus and offer them some free Fairtrade Halloween chocolate. By visiting these kiosks, you can enter to win one of three Fairtrade baskets of goodies. 

A recurring effort that students can expect every Wednesday, is the free, certified Fairtrade hot chocolate offered in the Quad. Ask the Green Team at the kiosk any questions you may have about the beverage or the free reusable mugs that they offer. 

If you are on the lookout for some Fairtrade products, stop by Doolittle’s and look for the

Fairtrade logo on their coffee, tea, chocolate bars and more.