Queen’s University has recently signed a five-year agreement with Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited to be its cold beverage supplier. The contract expands the availability of products from a range of suppliers, provides increased funding for sustainability initiatives on campus, includes an Indigenous Initiative Fund, and continues to direct funding to student wellness initiatives.  

Student representatives were part of the campus Cold Beverage Consultative Group that provided direction on cold beverage supply procurement, including an RFP process that began in Fall 2022. A campus-wide survey identified seven priority criteria for a new agreement: Sustainability, Nutritional Value, Product Quality, Affordability, Social Impact, Locally Sourced, and Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Indigeneity. 

Under the agreement, Coca-Cola will provide annual funding to support the University’s ongoing contributions towards advancing UN Sustainability Development Goals, including 4 – Quality Education, 10 – Reducing Inequalities, 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production through:

•    a new Sustainability Initiatives and Activation Fund  
•    a new Sustainability Achievement Award program to recognize student achievement in this priority area.    
•    a new Indigenous Scholarship Fund   
•    an Athletics Fund  
•    an annual Exclusivity Payment directed to wellness initiatives  

Details of the new programs, eligibility criteria, and distribution processes will be developed in consultation with campus partners, including the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Housing and Ancillary Services’ Food Advisory Committee and Sustainability Advisory Committee, and Athletics & Recreation.  

In response to an identified priority to offer more beverage options on campus from locally sourced or niche suppliers, the new agreement allows up to 10 per cent of campus sales to be procured independently, increased from 3% in the previous agreement. Community members with suggestions for local cold beverage products they would like to see on campus can send their recommendations to dining@queensu.ca.

A portion of the funding from the agreement will support waste audits across campus to help Queen’s monitor waste diversion. Seventy-five water bottle-fill stations, 190 drinking fountains, and Q Water Stations across the university help divert approximately 98,000 water bottles annually.  Aligned with the university’s water bottle ban, bottled water remains unavailable for sale.

Learn more about the procurement process and the agreement. Cold Beverage Consultative Group | Dining and Hospitality (queensu.ca)