In light of Fairtrade fortnight, my university has decided to do its bit by encouraging students to buy Fairtrade products in its canteens rather than the alternatives. This is being done through a bit of shameless bribary with the hope of winning a competition, but its a start nonetheless!
A sucker for a competition myself (what can I say? I like the chance of getting something for nothing!) I purchased a Fairtrade coffee this morning rather than the usual ‘Costa’ brand ones.
I found the Fairtrade coffee machine tucked away round the back of the sandwich counter and also further down the queue than the Costa machine- meaning most people opt for the chain’s coffees first.
Quel surprise! My Fairtrade coffee was a good deal cheaper and just as satisfying!
It’s a shame that it takes shameless promotion to get Fairtrade products flying off the shelves but maybe the cafe could do more to make this stuff more prominent.
I mean, there’s a Costa coffee literally feet away, why even host the machine at all? I say replace it with another Fairtrade machine! If customers want a Costa coffee then they can go there to get one! 
