Buying Fair Trade Coffee: Why It’s Important, Where To Get It
The concept of Fair Trade refers to an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in North America and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
One of the ideals behind the Fair Trade movement is ensuring that the vast majority of the world’s coffee farmers (who are small holders) get a fair price for their harvests in order to achieve a decent living wage. Fair Trade guarantees to poor farmers organized in cooperatives around the world: a living wage (minimum price of $1.26/pound regardless of the volatile market); much needed credit at fair prices; and long term relationships.
These fair payments are invested in health care, education, environmental stewardship, and economic independence.
Fair Trade Certified coffee is the first product being introduced in the U.S. with an independently monitored system to ensure that it was produced under fair labor conditions.
Coffee is the first commodity in the United States for which there is an independent monitor that guarantees that producers were paid a fair wage for their product and work in decent conditions — a real alternative to sweatshops.
Across the country, there are over 100 companies that have licensing agreements with TransFair to offer Fair Trade Certified coffee. Major roasters include Starbucks, Tully’s, Peet’s, Equal Exchange, Diedrich, and Green Mountain, serving over 7,000 retail locations, with volumes rising every day.
Small farmers are the best stewards of the land. When you support Fair Trade, you support the environment. Fair Trade farmers don’t have the capital input to clear forests, buy chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They generally grow small plots of mixed-crop, shade grown coffee organically.
In addition to the above-mentioned places to purchase a Fair Trade cup of joe, there are two great online options: Global Exchange Store and TransFair USA.
So the next time you’re buying a cup of coffee or beans, ask for Fair Trade or look for the Fair Trade label, and help small coffee growers continue to thrive.
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