Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Fair Trade

Fair Trade

Starbucks & SFU enter pilot Fair Trade project

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For the first time in Canada, Starbucks will offer its customers a Fairtrade certified option for their handcrafted espresso beverages as well as an already available Fairtrade certified brewed coffee option when the company opens a location at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus on October 5.

Starbucks, one of the largest buyers of fair trade coffee in the world, entered into this pilot program with SFU given the university’s Fair Trade Campus designation and deep commitment to ethical sourcing. The option is currently only available at some universities in the United States and the SFU Starbucks store will be the first location in Canada to offer it.

SFU was designated a Fair Trade Campus in May 2012 and is proud to be part of an international movement that improves the livelihood of developing world farmers and workers.

SFU student food surveys have consistently indicated that Starbucks is the top requested new vendor at the Burnaby Mountain campus. With SFU being a Fair Trade Campus, SFU needed to work with Starbucks to make this happen.  After a number of months of discussions, SFU and Starbucks are pleased that on October 5, SFU opened the first Starbucks store in Canada to offer fair trade espresso beverages.

SFU has been working alongside the University of British Columbia, Engineers Without Borders, and Fairtrade Vancouver to encourage major coffee companies to enhance their fair trade options for students, and this pilot project is a direct result of this joint effort.

The SFU Starbucks is located in the West Mall Centre and this trendy, new student space will be loaded with community tables, Wi-Fi, and power for mobile devices, with comfy indoor and patio seating. The store will be open 7 days a week and late on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until midnight. Sixteen student jobs are being created through this project and SFU student-artists will be contributing to the painting of murals.

 

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Drink to sustainability and fair trade

Simon Fraser University continues to push ahead with its commitment to Fair Trade and Sustainability and is pleased to announce its partnership with Ethical Bean coffee of Vancouver. 

Ethical Bean, a 100-per-cent fair trade organic certified coffee is roasted in Vancouver, and is now available at SFU’s popular Mackenzie Café and Dining Hall locations. Ethical Bean has been sourcing its coffee from certified fair trade providers around the world for the past 10 years, and gives back to the communities in which it operates.

“Their sustainability values impressed us and best of all they roast their coffee right here in Vancouver.” says Mark McLaughlin, Executive Director, SFU Ancillary Services. “Up to now we’ve been serving fair trade coffee but we’ve been importing it. We’re switching to Ethical Bean because their coffee is not only great tasting, it is roasted just a few kilometers from campus, and supporting our own communities is also important to us” he added.

“SFU is part of a growing movement towards sustainable procurement in Canada through the Fair Trade Campus program,” says Sean McHugh, Executive Director of the Canadian Fair Trade Network. “Fair trade is critical to creating a just society, which is a critical component of a sustainable planet.”

Ethical Bean’s Vancouver roasting facility meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) commercial interior standards.

SFU has earned a Fair trade Campus designation for the past two years from Fairtrade Canada. The designation recognizes the university’s adherence to fair trade objectives and practices such as decent working conditions, local sustainability, and improved terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Now Recruiting: Fair Trade & Sustainability Ambassadors

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SFU Dining Services is recruiting passionate student volunteers who want to make a difference in our campus community.

Click here for further details.

SFU adheres to the objectives and practices of Fair Trade

Better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. SFU is committed to being a model for community sustainability, demonstrating leadership through support of Fair Trade and advocating for ethical purchasing practices throughout the University community. SFU Ethical Procurement Policy AD11.21 promotes and encourages participation in trade relationships that are fair and respectful. The University, in partnership with the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), has worked hard over the past months to change behavior and buying habits at our campuses, and to promote fair trade practices, in order to conform to Fair Trade Canada requirements. This academic year, we have started to promote the virtues of fair trade on all of our campuses, and we will continue to accelerate the pace in the coming months and years.

For further information, contact Mark McLaughlin  (mark_mclaughlin@sfu.ca or
call 778-782-3950).

Fair Trade at SFU

Simon Fraser University is Canada's most community-engaged research university, defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research and far-reaching community engagement.

Adhering to the practices of Fair Trade is a key part of this strategic vision.

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