Students favour Fairtrade food

Cash-strapped university students are prepared to pay extra for Fairtrade and organic food, according to two new surveys.

The studies, carried out by caterers Sodexho and Compass education division Scolarest, also found that women place more importance on ethical products than men.

The Sodexho report, which quizzed more than 2,000 students at 112 UK colleges, found 45% of women would pay extra for Fairtrade products compared with 33% of men.

Scolarest surveyed 1,000 students, revealing that 41% of women would buy Fairtrade, as opposed to 35% of men.

Liz Thomas, chairman of the University Caterers Organisation, said demand would rise in the future as political awareness grew.

Organic food was also near the top of students' wish lists, with the Sodexho survey revealing that 26% of students would pay more for it. The most popular style of food on campus was British.

By Tom Bill

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