Brock University has been named Fairtrade Canada’s Campus of the Year for its continuing efforts to provide students with fair trade options where food is sold or served.

The national award is given to a university that makes offering fair trade options a priority by not only ensuring they are available and visible, but also educates and raises awareness about the importance of fair trade products.

“A big thing is making sure people are being treated fairly and knowing where our food comes from,” said Popular Culture student Anneka Bosse, co-chair of Brock’s fair trade committee.

“Students have a lot of power in what goes on in the university and we can show what is important to us through what we buy.”

Bosse said Brock has been designated a Fairtrade Canada campus since 2013. To earn the designation, fairtrade-certified coffee, three types of tea and chocolate must be available at the University’s cafes, vending machines and restaurants.

“It’s important because it’s an alternative to the trade market system – it makes sure people are treated fairly along the line,” Bosse said. “There are a lot of bad things that happen in the world. If we can have a part in fixing it or helping, it can go a long way in making things better.”

Iain Glass, Director of Hospitality Services, also sits on Brock’s fair trade committee. He said the University is always looking to add new fairtrade-certified products.

“The list keeps on growing,” he said.

Currently fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar are offered and used on campus.

“The coffee we serve on campus in the Guernsey Market is roasted on site – it’s fair trade and all organic,” Glass said.

Roasting on site makes the coffee more affordable with the added benefit of freshness, he said. Fifteen years ago he looked into fair trade coffee and found it was too cost prohibitive.

Fairtrade Canada’s Lisa Zentner, director of marketing and communications, said being named Campus of the Year is something to be proud of.

“It’s a testament to the University that says they are doing exceptional work in their commitment to fair trade,” she said.

And it matters, she said.

“Every dollar we spend is a way to lend our voice to something and when it comes to products we buy, we have to stand up for the way we consume. We should expect goods to be fairly traded,” Zentner said.

Fair wages and working conditions should matter to consumers, no matter where they are made, she said.

She said 10 universities in Canada are designated as Fairtrade campuses.

Ispafa Sufi, left, President of the Brock University Eco Club and member of the fair trade committee, and Anneka Bosse, pose with the Campus of the Year Award presented to Brock by Fairtrade Canada.