From 19 November 2024, The King’s College London Student Union (KCLSU) will begin selling Karma Cola at the Shack, following conversations within the Union to provide ‘more ethical products’ at KCLSU venues.
This move marks the launch of a KCLSU pilot project aiming to explore more sustainable and socially responsible product offerings around campus.
Should the trial prove commercially successful enough, it is possible that Karma Cola will eventually become the only cola brand offered at KCLSU venues.
Priced at £1.90, the soft drink will not be sold as part of meal deals. This is due to the higher costs associated with its ethical sourcing.
Given its strong product performance, Pepsi will continue to be sold at KCLSU venues. Orange San Pellegrino will be discontinued, due to low demand.
Haneen Farid, KCLSU Vice President for Welfare and Community, commented to Roar:
We wanted to introduce an ethical cola option at KCLSU’s Shack as its proceeds go to supporting farmers in Sierra Leone, and I am aware that some students might prefer Karma Cola to alternative brands.
Karma Cola is popular amongst individuals seeking an alternative to Pepsi and Coca-Cola. The soft drinks brand is owned by the Karma Foundation, which worked to improve the social and economic independence of people growing cola nuts in Sierra Leone. One percent of proceeds from Karma Cola sales go towards supporting the Karma Foundation’s work.
Demand for Alternative Products
The decision to introduce Karma Cola at the Shack reflects growing calls from King’s students for ethical and sustainable products.
KCLSU declined to share whether the effort to offer more ethical products is in light of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the current war in the Middle East.
The BDS campaign seeks to apply economic and political pressure on Israel by boycotting companies alleged to be complicit in violations of Palestinian human rights. Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Starbucks have been especially subject to boycotts by student groups and supporters of the BDS movement.
Many engaged in the BDS movement opt for Karma Cola as a consumer option better aligned to their cause. As a result, KCLSU’s decision to introduce it at the Shack may also resonate with students and supporters of pro-Palestine campaigns on campus.
KCL Students for Justice for Palestine (SJP) responded positively to the move. They told Roar:
We welcome this as it supports a boycott of products made by Coca Cola and Pepsi, who are complicit in maintaining the Israeli occupation and war crimes in Palestine. We embrace a switch towards more ethical products being sold on our campuses, though we reaffirm that this change is minimal to what we hope can be achieved towards BDS
Based on how strong Karma Cola’s product performance proves to be, the KCLSU commercial team is open to expanding ethical product options in the future.
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 16:25 to include the drink’s price.
