2016 Fairtrade Campus of the Year Award

On February 25th 2017, McGill was awarded the 2016 Fairtrade Canada Campus of the Year Award in Halifax, Nova Scotia against 21 campus competitors. 

Fairtrade Canada recognizes exceptional Fairtrade allies and McGill University now has the recognition of being Fairtrade’s biggest supporter.

This award was made possible thanks to the collaboration between McGill Student Housing and Hospitality Services, McGill's main food provider, McGill Office of Sustainability, McGill Engineers Without Borders and McGill faculty members.

An independent panel of judges took into account all of our various Fairtrade initiatives, outreach and educational activities as well as our purchasing commitment of Fairtrade offerings on campus. These included our own Fairtrade and organic coffee blend Roddick Roast and other Fairtrade coffee blends, teas and chocolates which were available in all dining halls and non-franchised cafés on campus.

The following Fairtrade events were also taken into consideration for the award. These are:

  • In 2016, McGill launched its' unique Fairtrade coffee blend, Roddick Roast.
  • In 2016, McGill opened a Starbucks location in Carrefour Sherbrooke Residence, offering Fairtrade coffee. 
  • In 2015, McGill won the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Smoothie at 3,121 liters. The bananas were Fairtrade and the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries were all grown in Quebec. 
  • In 2014, McGill prepared the World's Largest Fairtrade brownie, weighing an impressive 4,400 pounds. 
  • In 2013, Fairtrade Canada recognized McGill University’s commitment to Fairtrade purchases and awarded McGill with the Fairtrade Campus designation.

Read the McGill Reporter article to learn more on this important achievement.

Back to top