As part of our commitment to Fairtrade, we have been focusing on Fairtrade products, ingredients and suppliers as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2023, which took place from Monday 27 February – Sunday 12 March 2023.
At Great Food at Leeds we are passionate about Fairtrade and have been responsibly sourcing and selling Fairtrade food and drink products in our outlets since 2003. In 2022 the University renewed its Fairtrade University status, securing a two star award for the academic years 2020/21 and 2021/22.
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade aims to tackle the injustices of conventional trade and ensure that their farmers have decent working conditions and prices for the crops they grow.
We understand that choosing Fairtrade and ethically sourced products is one way we stand with those vulnerable communities at the front line of the climate crisis.
What is Fairtrade Fortnight?
Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual celebration of all things Fairtrade. This year, the event focused on encouraging people to switch to Fairtrade products so that farmers and workers overseas can protect the plant and safeguard the future of some of the UK’s favourite foods.
Great Food at Leeds and Fairtrade Fortnight 2023
Working with staff and students from a plethora of services and schools across the University, we have been busy showing our support for the farmers and workers behind our Fairtrade food and drink!
Here is how we got involved:
- Brought Fairtrade products together for our customers at till points in our outlets to highlight the range of Fairtrade products available
- Made Fairtrade bananas available to purchase across our outlets on campus
- Served up delicious sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel bananas, made with Fairtrade bananas and sugar, in the Refectory
How can you get involved?
As a customer, you can be part of the Fairtrade movement – this applies all year round, not just during Fairtrade Fortnight! You have the power to drive long-term change, through your shopping choices and spreading the Fairtrade message.
You can get involved in local campaigns, Fairtrade Yorkshire has information on this. Support Fairtrade shops and cafés in the local area, see Fairtrade Leeds for details, or cook some recipes using Fairtrade products. If you missed our delicious sticky toffee pudding in the Refectory, why not have a go at making it yourself?
Follow our recipe below and share your bake with us on Instagram, @greatfoodleeds.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Ingredients (makes 8 portions)
Sticky Toffee Pudding
- 115g butter
- 140g caster sugar
- 175g self-raising flour
- 1 egg
- 140g dried, stoned dates
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
Sauce
- 100g caster sugar
- 25g butter
- 300ml double cream
Method
- Soak the dates before soaking in 190ml of cold water overnight
- Pre-heat the over to 160C / fan assisted 140C / gas mark 3
- Prepare a baking tin, grease and line with grease proof paper
- Beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until creamy in texture. Add the egg and mix until combined.
- To the butter and sugar, add half of the soaked dates, water they have been soaked in and flour. Fold this through gently. Repeat with the remaining dates, water and flour and add the bicarbonate of soda, fold in until fully combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the lined baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and firm, or until a skewer comes out cle
- While the sticky toffee is cooking, start to make your sauce by dissolving the caster sugar in 4 tbsp of water in a pan over a low heat. Bring to the boil, but don’t stir the mixture.
- When the sugar turns a golden, caramel colour, whisk in the butter
- Remove from the heat and stir in the double cream
- Remove the pudding from the oven. Leave in the tin for a few minutes and then loosen them well from the sides of the tin. Serve with the sauce drizzled over!
