November 18, 2003

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A pilot program to serve Fair Trade Coffee on campus will be conducted at Oakton Community College throughout December, officials say. The student-led initiative is supported by the college administration and Sodexho Campus Services, the contracted provider of cafeteria services at both Oakton locations in Des Plaines and Skokie.

"In the course of their studies at Oakton, a group of students have become aware of the plight of third world coffee growers," Margaret Lee, president of Oakton, wrote in a letter to all college employees. "When we buy and use Fair Trade Coffee, we ensure that the growers also share appropriately in the profits for the fruits of their labors."

Starting December 1, Sodexho will sell regular and decaffeinated Fair Trade Coffee provided by its regular coffee supplier, Seattle's Best, according to Doreen Schwartz, director of business services. Sodexho's original proposal to provide services to Oakton noted that the company supports a variety of corporate responsibility initiatives related to human rights, equal opportunity, business ethics, and protecting the environment, Schwartz added.

In her open message, President Lee acknowledged that switching to Fair Trade Coffee would cost consumers two cents more per cup. "The students who have initiated this change also will be helping us learn more about the difference those extra two cents from our pockets can make in the lives of coffee growers," Lee said. "Their point will be to concretely demonstrate that the cost-benefit tradeoff is in accord with Oakton's mission, vision, and core values."

To raise awareness of the new program, a student club, the Oakton Campus Greens, will install "penny jars" at all cafeteria registers, Schwartz said. Customers who do not support the two-cent price increase for Fair Trade Coffee will be encouraged to take two cents from the provided jars, serving as a kind of "straw poll" indicating response to the price hike.

If the program is judged to be a success, Sodexho has agreed to fully implement Fair Trade Coffee sales at both Oakton campuses, effective January 5, 2004.

For more information, contact Bill Paige, manager of communications, at 847-635-1806.

Media Contact: Bill Paige (847) 635-1806

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