Operations

UAlbany became the first SUNY campus to receive designation as a Fair Trade University last month. We join only 67 other campuses in the United States.

The official designation, through the organization Fair Trade Campaigns, means UAlbany is committed to incorporating ethically produced products into institutional purchasing as well as educating students and the campus community about fair trade practices. The movement toward fair trade designation at UAlbany began in 2018 with the student organization SSTOP (Students Stopping the Trafficking of People), which works to raise awareness of human trafficking in all forms. That includes sexual exploitation, slavery and forced labor, and working conditions that are similar to slavery. The Fair Trade label on products ensures consumers the items were grown, harvested, crafted and traded with fair working conditions and in ways that improve and protect the environment. Fair trade products now available on campus include sugar and pepper at two condiment stations in the Campus Center, as well as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, select Green Mountain coffees, Bark Thins and Lily’s chocolates available at 518 Market and at catering events on campus. Look for the Fair Trade Certified labels on products to ensure you are supporting the principles embedded in this designation.

Kudos to Professor Dennis McCarty and President of SSTOP Joseph LaBarbera for their work in championing this effort and doing the work to ensure we accomplish our goal.

Look for these logos on products at 518 Market to ensure that you are buying Fair Trade!