Fair Trade Campus
Acadia was designated a Fair Trade Campus in September 2017 becoming the first university in the Maritimes to earn the designation from the Canadian Fair Trade Network.
Acadia Fair Trade Team joined by Jeff Moore, Co-Founder of Just Us!, and Jeff Cantwell, Mayor of Wolfville.
The Fair Trade Campus program recognizes colleges and universities demonstrating a strong commitment to Fair Trade. Fair trade is an alternative approach to business, based on partnerships between producers and consumers. Farmers receive a minimum price, improved terms, and a social premium that helps improve their lives and enables them to plan for their future.
To earn the designation Acadia met a variety of requirements for the national program such as:
- All coffee, three teas, and one chocolate Fair Trade certified product must be provided in all food service locations.
- Develop an education program to raise awareness about Fair Trade.
- Establish a Fair Trade Committee with staff, students and faculty.
- Expand product line available such as fruit and sugar.
Learn more at Fair Trade Canada.
Fair Trade Fridays
Fair Trade Friday was created to promote awareness about Fair Trade at Acadia. Each Month from October to April on a designated Friday we will feature special themed promotions and activities with our campus and community partners. Check the schedule for upcoming events.
Fair Trade Campus Week
Each fall we celebrate our commitment to Fair Trade at Acadia during Fair Trade Campus Week. Events and promotions are held across the university including Acadia Students Union, The Acadia Community Farm, Wheelock Dining Hall and retail locations in partnership with Acadia Dining Services.
Fair Trade Products at Acadia
Look for coffee, tea and chocolate at Wheelock Dining Hall, the Acadia Students' Union, The K.C. Irving Centre and food service outlets around campus. We are proud to feature fair trade coffee from Just Us!, Roasters, and Brown Gold.
Acadia Hacha Java Blend
In 2017 the Acadia Students' Union in partnership with Chartwells and Just Us! hosted a taste test and student logo contest to select a custom coffee blend for Acadia University. Quentin Horvath, 4th year kinesiology student at Acadia, designed the winning logo, featured on the new blend available on campus. "Hacha" means axe in Spanish.
Where is Hacha Java Grown?
Hacha Java is a smooth blend of Peruvian and Guatemalan coffee. Coffee beans are purchased by Just Us! from a co-op in Asobagri, Guatemala and Incahuasi, Peru. Pictured below is one of the farmers harvesting ripe berries in Guatemala.
Photo Credit: Just Us! Coffee Roasters. Picking coffee berries in Guatemala
Can I buy a bag of Hacha Java?
Yes, starting in September 2017 you can purchase Hacha Java on campus at the Union Market in the Students' Union Building as well as online from the Just Us! Coffee
ASU Fair Trade Resolution
In July 2017 the Acadia Student's Union passed a resolution in support of the Fair Trade Campus program at Acadia. Read the resolution.
Fair Trade Education
As part of the Fair Trade program at Acadia, students are learning about the fair trade industry and life in small coffee growing communities. A recent international community development study tour included a home stay at Lucmabamba, Peru to learn about producing organic fair trade coffee from small producers in the community.
Acadia community development students learning to make coffee in Peru.
Acadia Fair Trade Student Club
The Acadia Fair Trade Club is a group of engaged students that promote an understanding of the principles of Fair Trade and the benefits of socially responsible consumption to local communities across Nova Scotia and beyond within the Acadia University community. If you have an interest in Fair Trade or want to learn more about the club please contact the Acadia Sustainability Office or the ASU.
Acadia Fair Trade Committee
The Fair Trade Campus program at Acadia is coordinated by a committee of staff, students and faculty. Contact any of the members for more information.
Jodie Noiles, Sustainability Coordinator,
Acadia Sustainability Office
Committee Chair
jodie.noiles@acadiau.ca
Sustainability Officer,
Acadia Students’ Union
Dr. Jim Grant
Manning School of Business
jim.grant@acadiau.ca
Manager of Nutrition, Wellness and Sustainability
Acadia Dining Services
Victoria.Pike@compass-canada.com
Michael Sutherland
Food & Retail Manager,
Acadia Students' Union
michael.sutherland@acadiau.ca