Further steps have been taken by the University of Aberdeen to ensure a fair deal for Third World producers.
As part of its commitment to Fairtrade, the University has launched new initiatives to promote awareness of the global campaign to secure better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
A new website has been developed to give staff and students details of University Fairtrade events. The site will also be at the heart of a recruitment campaign to encourage staff and students to become Friends of Fairtrade.
From September, Fairtade tea and coffee will be the automatic choice for all campus based catering. With the help of Tiki Café, the University's various coffee stations are being re-branded to reflect the University's commitment to Fairtrade in all its retail catering.
A striking floral display has also been created outside Zeste to serve as a permanent visual reminder of the University's commitment to the Fairtrade campaign.
The display was created by members of University Grounds staff and brings together blue Lobelia and white Alyssum with marble, slate and flint to complete a Fairtrade mark.
All of these developments underpin the University's determination to do everything it can to promote Fairtrade and to support the Scottish Fair Trade Forum's goals of making Scotland one of the first ever Fair Trade Nations.
Leith Forsyth, Director of Campus Services at the University, said: "We have been fortunate as part of our promotion of Fairtrade to hear first-hand how Fairtrade can make a very real contribution to improving the lives of farmers, their families and local communities around the world.
"Our latest initiatives take the University of Aberdeen's support for Fairtrade to a new level.
"For some time now all our meetings have been catered using Fairtrade tea and coffee. This latest development ensures that all of the tea and coffee sold on campus is now Fairtrade.
"We believe we are making great strides in raising awareness of the benefits of Fairtrade among all our students, staff and visitors."
Betsy Reed, the Fair Trade Nation Campaign Coordinator for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, praised the University's commitment to Fairtrade.
She added: "The sheer range of activities and areas in which the University of Aberdeen has sought to embed its commitment to Fairtrade, make it one of the leading Scottish universities in terms of its support and promotion of this campaign."