UWTSD Fairtrade & Sustainable Food Survey The UWTSD Group is one of 12 Universities and Colleges from across the UK taking part in the new Fairtrade University & Colleges programme to pilot a set of new criteria. To influence our work around the Fairtrade and Sustainable Food agenda for the 2017-18 academic year the Fairtrade Steering Group carried out a survey in December 2017 and January 2018 to gain feedback on our staff and students awareness of Fairtrade and sustainable food on campus. The following summarises the key findings of the Fairtrade and Sustainable Food survey. The findings of the summary can be found in Appendix 1. Fairtrade Awareness All staff and students that completed the Fairtrade & Sustainable Food survey had heard of Fairtrade, and most were aware that the Fairtrade mark meant that good social, environmental and economic standards have been met by the workers, companies and farmers. However only 25% were aware that Fairtrade sets a minimum price and only 17% were aware of the Fairtrade Premium.
Influences & Buying Decisions This section sought to gain feedback on what factors influence their decisions when buying food. The spread of results for this question gave a great insight in to what motivates our staff and students choices when it comes to purchasing food. Price was the biggest factor that influences food purchasing decisions. Respondents were then asked to select, on a scale of 1-10, whether they agree or disagree with the following statements;
Whilst price is the biggest factor that influences food purchasing decisions, 70% of respondents did not believe that Fairtrade food was out of their price range. However there was a split with organic food with approx. 41% saying that they disagreed that organic food was out of their price range and 41% saying agreeing that it was out of their price range.
These results show that respondents were more likely to purchase ethical toiletries that they are Fairtrade clothing. This could be influenced by ethical toiletries being more readily available on the high street. More than 50% of the staff and students that completed the survey disagreed that they prioritise price over ethically sourced products, so whilst price is the most common factor to influence buying decisions it is not the only factor and ethical sourcing is still a key part of our buying decisions. Sustainability and Food To gain feedback on whether or not our staff and students felt that their food habits had an effect on the environment, we asked them if they thought that food production had an impact on climate change. More than 80% of the students that completed the survey agreed that food production had an impact on climate change.
Communicating Fairtrade Fairtrade at UWTSD UWTSD has held a Fairtrade Award for a number of years so we wanted to gain feedback on whether or not our students were aware of our status and were aware that Fairtrade products were easily available across our campuses. We were pleased to see that more than 60% of those completing the survey knew that we held Fairtrade University status.
More than 60% of respondents had purchased a Fairtrade product on one of our campuses before, however there were still 37% who had not purchased any Fairtrade products, and 22.7% said that they had not seen any Fairtrade products on campus before. Only 12.5% of the respondents that completed the survey had taken part in a Fairtrade Fortnight event on campus.
Appendix 1. Findings of the 2017-18 Fairtrade & Sustainable Food Survey From the results of the survey have been summarised in the below table. Finding Action Outcomes There was a lack of awareness around the Fairtrade Premium and the minimum price that the Fairtrade Foundation sets for producers. To increase awareness of the benefits of the Fairtrade Premium through information sessions, engaging events and talks from Fairtrade producers. To run awareness sessions of what the Fairtrade mark assures. - Staff and students who are aware of the impact of purchasing Fairtrade products and are aware of what the Fairtrade mark on food assures in terms of good social, economic and environmental standards. Whilst price is a key factor that influences buying decisions it is not the only factor and ethical sourcing is important to our staff and student body. Whilst the majority of respondents were aware of the University s Fairtrade status, there were still a large proportion that did not. To continue to raise awareness of the benefits of Fairtrade products and to offer a broad range of products with different price ranges. Increase awareness of the University s Fairtrade status through engaging events and information sessions, POS and opportunities to explore Fairtrade through courses. - A variety of ethically sourced and Fairtrade products, that appeal to a broad range of the student and staff body, on sale at the University. - Staff and students who are aware of the University s Fairtrade status and take part in Fairtrade Fortnight.