Celebrity Chef marks another first for Deeside College

Deeside College have become the first college in Wales to achieve Fairtrade status. On Sunday 23 September 2007 at the Mold Food Festival, celebrity Chef James Martin presented Deeside College Principal and Chief Executive, David Jones with a certificate authenticated by the Fairtrade Foundation to mark this achievement.

Staff and students at the college have been working hard over the past year to promote Fairtrade products. During Fairtrade Fortnight February/March 2007, full-time students across the college attended presentations about the implications of Fairtrade products to third world producers. Welsh Baccalaureate students also study this topic in more detail in the Wales, Europe and the World module of their qualification.

A fortnightly display in the college's foyer area promotes Fairtrade products to students, staff and visitors and has proved very popular; in April 2007, the college sold its 20,000th Fairtrade Product. Deeside College provides a range of Fairtrade Products in its Cafe Talk on the main campus and at the Netcafe in Shotton, including chocolate and confectionery, tea, coffee and green leaf juice. Fairtrade coffee is also used in the hospitality provided at all internal meetings.

In addition to selling and using Fairtrade tea, coffee and confectionery, Deeside College also buys Fairtrade footballs for use in its sports department and sportshalls. Future plans include the expansion of Fairtrade products being offered in the college's Cafe Talk and through vending machines. Students and staff will also develop a wide range of activities during Fairtrade Fortnight in 2008, to develop a greater understanding of the importance of supporting developing countries.

Paul Hinchliffe, Partnerships Manager - External Affairs, at Deeside College, said, "Deeside College is totally committed to promoting Fairtrade products and to encouraging students, staff and visitors to support these important initiatives. We are grateful to James Martin for his support and time in presenting the certificate to us, which recognises the college's achievements so far."