Park Board Adopts Ethical Purchasing Policy

March 2, 2005 (No. 18) - The Vancouver Park Board has adopted City Council Policy on Ethical Purchasing for buying staff apparel and fair trade agricultural products, including coffee, in its park concessions and golf clubhouses. The new policy, approved by Council earlier last month, will require suppliers of these items to comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability by ensuring safe and healthy workplaces for the people who make products for the City.

The new Ethical Purchasing Policy will, over time, change the cost and selection of clothing and agricultural products. The Park Board will implement the policy on a gradual basis, working closely with suppliers.

Vice Chair Lyndsay Poaps said, "The Park Board has shown leadership and vision in sustainability and this policy is an important piece around that. Since many fair trade products are organic, it is also a natural fit for the Board's move to healthier food choices in its facilities. This initiative will have far reaching impacts on parks and recreation users and positions the Park Board as a better global citizen."

There are over 275 agricultural products purchased by the Park Board amounting to $1.5 million. Initial estimates are that as a result of the new policy, overall annual costs for apparel and food items will go up by $246,000 ($185,000 in 2005).

Fair trade certified coffee will be the first product to be purchased by the Park Board under the new policy. However, no price increase is anticipated at this time for coffee at park concessions and golf clubhouses because of the competitive market amongst suppliers.

Any change in cost for fair trade clothing and agricultural products such as sugar, chocolate bars and hot chocolate will be seen when current inventories are depleted and/or contracts ended. The Park Board will try to keep price increases to a minimum. Over time as more suppliers enter the market, additional costs may be reduced through more product availability and consumer demand.

- 30 -

For more information contact Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

• Top