Humber Polytechnic is a FairTrade Campus

Humber Polytechnic is proud to be a FairTrade Campus, supporting ethical and sustainable practices. The designation reflects our commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical sourcing.

Two students at the Humber Fairtrade campus fair

The future is fair logo

What is FairTrade?

FairTrade is a global movement aimed at ensuring better pay, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. FairTrade products are certified to meet rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards.

According to FairTrade Canada, millions of farmers worldwide are on the frontline of climate change experiencing decreasing crop yields, soil erosion, pests, and diseases. FairTrade addresses those issues by supporting farmers to cope with climate change and building climate resilience throughout the supply chain.

To maintain the FairTrade Campus designation, Humber meets criteria set by FairTrade Canada, which include product availability on campus, education, and awareness about FairTrade, and a steering committee that meets regularly to ensure continued commitment to the designation.

Our FairTrade Journey

Humber became the first college in Ontario to receive FairTrade Campus designation in 2017 thanks to momentum built by students. International Development students at the Lakeshore Campus began grassroots advocacy in 2012 to encourage Humber’s administration to pursue the designation. The students created a Humber Public Interest Research Group (HummPIRG) group to focus their advocacy and launched a FairTrade Campus Week in 2012.

In July 2017, Humber’s Office of Sustainability formed a FairTrade Steering Committee to start applying for the designation for the Lakeshore Campus, awarded in December. The North Campus received FairTrade Campus designation in 2019.

Fairtrade products and pamphlets on a table