Fair Trade Coffee in Your Life

Juan Portillo

<img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/FT_Coffee_Break.jpg?1234552733' alt='' /> The most popular “fairly traded” item is coffee. This is because it is the 2nd most traded commodity in the world after crude oil. Buying fair trade coffee supports small, rural, farming communities around the world, in places such as Central America and Africa. By supporting fair trade coffee producers, roasters, wholesalers or retailers, you are investing in their sustainable development and greatly supporting the fair trade movement. We love <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/ourcoffees/product.asp?category_name=Multi-region+Blends&product_id=FTN">Starbucks’s Cafe Estima</a> as well as <a href="http://www.peacecoffee.com/">Peace Coffee</a>, because we know that every purchase makes a difference. At the same time, the social premium on fair trade coffee is on average $0.20 more than regular coffee, so everyone can afford it. If you want to lead a fair trade lifestyle and make an impact in your community, the first step you can take is to <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/" target=_blank>bring fair trade coffee</a> to work, or convince your office to buy only <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/" target=_blank>fair trade coffee</a> for the break room. If you don’t know which coffee is fairly traded, the easiest way to identify it is to look for the Fair Trade Certified label: <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/" target=_blank><img src="http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/TransFair-USA-Index.gif" alt="TransFairUSA"></a> This certification label is the safest way to identify fairly traded coffee or other produce in the USA. Still, there are many organizations out there that are not yet certified, either because they cannot afford it at this time, or because they have issues with the certifying system. Either way, when you come across a product that claims that it is fair trade, the best thing is to go online and educate yourself on that company, and ask around to see if they are legitimately ethical. If you need a little more motivation to go fair trade at work, see this advertisement from the UK: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0PlCMmdnbs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0PlCMmdnbs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> There are many local coffee shops that serve only fair trade certified coffee. Still, to help you out we have compiled a list of different coffee brands and/or places to find Fair Trade Certified coffee: <table class="page-table"> <tr> <th>Coffee Brand</th> <th>Comments</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.fairtrade.net/coffee.html" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/FLO-Index.gif?1234286880' alt='FLO Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.fairtrade.net/coffee.html" target=_blank>FLO International Coffee Program</a></td> <td>At the end of 2006, FLO International worked with 241 coffee producer organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These numbers have grown since then, and FLO ensures that fair trade practices are followed and certify fair trade coffee around the world.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href=" http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/coffee_program.php" target=_blank><img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/TransFair-USA-Index.gif?1234284991' alt='TransFair USA' /></a> <a href=" http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/coffee_program.php" target=_blank>TransFair USA Coffee Program</a></td> <td>TransFair USA audits producers of coffee abroad and roasters and sellers domestically to make sure that the fair trade principles are followed. Their Fair Trade Certified label is the consumer guarantee that farmers are getting a fair deal for their products. This helps companies build customer loyalty, tap into profitable and growing consumer segments, and distinguish their business from competitors.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/" target=_blank><img src='http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Global-Exchange-Logo-Index.gif?1234285479' alt='GX' /></a> <a href="http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/" target=_blank>Global Exchange Coffee Program</a></td> <td>Global Exchange believes in a total transformation of the coffee industry, so that all coffee sold in this country should be Fair Trade Certified, or if produced on a plantation, that workers' rights should be guaranteed and independently monitored. Their view includes social justice and environmental sustainability: according to them, all coffee should be certified organic and shade grown where applicable.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.cafecampesino.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Cafe-Campesino-Index.gif?1234287021' alt='Cafe Campesino' /></a> <a href="http://www.cafecampesino.com/" target=_blank>Cafe Campesino</a></td> <td>Café Campesino envisions a world in which all trade is based on the tenets of the Golden Rule and in which Fair Trade is the norm rather than a niche in the global economy. Café Campesino seeks to realize their vision by successfully importing, roasting and commercializing only Fair Trade, organic, specialty-grade coffee and offering related products that reinforce their ability to deliver the Fair Trade message.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.deansbeans.com/coffee/fair_trade_roadmap.html" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Deans-Beans-Index.gif?1234290124' alt='Deans Beans' /></a> <a href="http://www.deansbeans.com/coffee/fair_trade_roadmap.html" target=_blank>Dean's Beans</a></td> <td>All of their fine whole bean specialty coffees are certified organic, fair trade and kosher, and are roasted in small batches at their beanery in Orange, MA. They make sure that the planting, care, harvesting and processing of the beans is done in conformity with international standards for the health of the farmer and his environment, as well as the high quality of the bean.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.crsfairtrade.org/coffee/buy.cfm" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/CRS-Coffee-Index.gif?1234290279' alt='CRS Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.crsfairtrade.org/coffee/buy.cfm" target=_blank>Catholic Relief Services Coffee Information</a></td> <td>CRS provides direct assistance to coffee farmers overseas and supports them by promoting Fair Trade here in the United States. CRS works to help coffee cooperatives inBolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Uganda and Viet Nam to transform their communities by growing great coffee, farming in ecologically responsible ways, and building relationships with Fair Trade coffee companies in the United States.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Green-Mountain-Index.gif?1234290418' alt='Green Mountain' /></a> <a href="http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/" target=_blank>Green Mountain Coffee</a></td> <td>Green Mountain Coffee offers ethically grown and roasted coffee products in the US. They have a passion for making high quality products in a ethical way, taking into consideration the environment, the growers' health, and the satisfaction of the coffee drinkers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.puravidacoffee.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Pura-Vida-Index.gif?1234291818' alt='Pura Vida' /></a> <a href="http://www.puravidacoffee.com/" target=_blank>Pura Vida Coffee</a></td> <td>This ethical coffee company strives to help coffee grower communities around the world. They follow fair trade practices and are very environmentally conscious.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Cafe-Estima-Index.gif?1234302431' alt='' /></a> <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf" target=_blank>Starbucks Fair Trade info</a> (pdf link)</td> <td>Worldwide, Starbucks is the biggest single purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee. At 40 million pounds by 2009, it helps that every Starbucks in the UK uses 100% fair trade coffee for their espresso based products. In the US, you can find fair trade brews, but more than likely you will have to specifically ask them to make your coffee with fair trade beans.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/credentials/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Dunkin-Donuts-Index.gif?1234302505' alt='Dunkin Donuts' /></a> <a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/credentials/" target=_blank> Dunkin' Donuts Fair Trade Coffee offering </a></td> <td>Dunkin' Donuts offers 100% Fair Trade Certified™ espresso, cappuccino and lattes!</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.seattlesbest.com/#/about/responsibility/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Seattles-Best-Index.gif?1234303060' alt='Seattles Best' /></a> <a href="http://www.seattlesbest.com/#/about/responsibility/" target=_blank>Seattle's Best Coffee corporate responsibility</a></td> <td>Seattle's Best Coffee has been committed to helping coffee growers for quite some time now. They serve premium blends of fair trade certified and organic coffee. They are very proud of this, and make it a big part of their offering.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.communityagroecology.net/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/CAN-Coffee-Index.gif?1239828314' alt='CAN Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.communityagroecology.net/" target=_blank>Community Agroecology Network (CAN) Coffee</a></td> <td>CAN is an international network connecting farmers, consumers, students, and educators to create an alternative globalization where people, healthy food systems, and environments come first. CAN works in collaboration with five farming communities in Latin America. This program allows farmers to participate in a large part of the supply chain and earn beyond the Fair Trade coffee trading price.</td> </tr> </table>

2009-01-22T11:54:54-06:00

fair-trade-coffee-at-work 3074382

2009-01-22T11:54:54-06:00

9057

Fair Trade Coffee in Your Life 2009-04-15T15:58:38-05:00 <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/FT_Coffee_Break.jpg?1234552733' alt='' /> The most popular "fairly traded" item is coffee. This is because it is the 2nd most traded commodity in the world after crude oil. Buying fair trade coffee supports small, rural, farming communities around the world, in places such as Central America and Africa. By supporting fair trade coffee producers, roasters, wholesalers or retailers, you are investing in their sustainable development and greatly supporting the fair trade movement. We love <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/ourcoffees/product.asp?category_name=Multi-region+Blends&product_id=FTN">Starbucks's Cafe Estima</a> as well as <a href="http://www.peacecoffee.com/">Peace Coffee</a>, because we know that every purchase makes a difference. At the same time, the social premium on fair trade coffee is on average $0.20 more than regular coffee, so everyone can afford it. If you want to lead a fair trade lifestyle and make an impact in your community, the first step you can take is to <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/" target=_blank>bring fair trade coffee</a> to work, or convince your office to buy only <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/" target=_blank>fair trade coffee</a> for the break room. If you don't know which coffee is fairly traded, the easiest way to identify it is to look for the Fair Trade Certified label: <a href="http://www.transfairusa.org/" target=_blank><img src="http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/TransFair-USA-Index.gif" alt="TransFairUSA"></a> This certification label is the safest way to identify fairly traded coffee or other produce in the USA. Still, there are many organizations out there that are not yet certified, either because they cannot afford it at this time, or because they have issues with the certifying system. Either way, when you come across a product that claims that it is fair trade, the best thing is to go online and educate yourself on that company, and ask around to see if they are legitimately ethical. If you need a little more motivation to go fair trade at work, see this advertisement from the UK: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0PlCMmdnbs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0PlCMmdnbs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> There are many local coffee shops that serve only fair trade certified coffee. Still, to help you out we have compiled a list of different coffee brands and/or places to find Fair Trade Certified coffee: <notextile> <table class="page-table"> <tr> <th>Coffee Brand</th> <th>Comments</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.fairtrade.net/coffee.html" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/FLO-Index.gif?1234286880' alt='FLO Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.fairtrade.net/coffee.html" target=_blank>FLO International Coffee Program</a></td> <td>At the end of 2006, FLO International worked with 241 coffee producer organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These numbers have grown since then, and FLO ensures that fair trade practices are followed and certify fair trade coffee around the world.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href=" http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/coffee_program.php" target=_blank><img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/TransFair-USA-Index.gif?1234284991' alt='TransFair USA' /></a> <a href=" http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/coffee_program.php" target=_blank>TransFair USA Coffee Program</a></td> <td>TransFair USA audits producers of coffee abroad and roasters and sellers domestically to make sure that the fair trade principles are followed. Their Fair Trade Certified label is the consumer guarantee that farmers are getting a fair deal for their products. This helps companies build customer loyalty, tap into profitable and growing consumer segments, and distinguish their business from competitors.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/" target=_blank><img src='http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Global-Exchange-Logo-Index.gif?1234285479' alt='GX' /></a> <a href="http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/" target=_blank>Global Exchange Coffee Program</a></td> <td>Global Exchange believes in a total transformation of the coffee industry, so that all coffee sold in this country should be Fair Trade Certified, or if produced on a plantation, that workers' rights should be guaranteed and independently monitored. Their view includes social justice and environmental sustainability: according to them, all coffee should be certified organic and shade grown where applicable.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.cafecampesino.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Cafe-Campesino-Index.gif?1234287021' alt='Cafe Campesino' /></a> <a href="http://www.cafecampesino.com/" target=_blank>Cafe Campesino</a></td> <td>Café Campesino envisions a world in which all trade is based on the tenets of the Golden Rule and in which Fair Trade is the norm rather than a niche in the global economy. Café Campesino seeks to realize their vision by successfully importing, roasting and commercializing only Fair Trade, organic, specialty-grade coffee and offering related products that reinforce their ability to deliver the Fair Trade message.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.deansbeans.com/coffee/fair_trade_roadmap.html" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Deans-Beans-Index.gif?1234290124' alt='Deans Beans' /></a> <a href="http://www.deansbeans.com/coffee/fair_trade_roadmap.html" target=_blank>Dean's Beans</a></td> <td>All of their fine whole bean specialty coffees are certified organic, fair trade and kosher, and are roasted in small batches at their beanery in Orange, MA. They make sure that the planting, care, harvesting and processing of the beans is done in conformity with international standards for the health of the farmer and his environment, as well as the high quality of the bean.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.crsfairtrade.org/coffee/buy.cfm" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/CRS-Coffee-Index.gif?1234290279' alt='CRS Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.crsfairtrade.org/coffee/buy.cfm" target=_blank>Catholic Relief Services Coffee Information</a></td> <td>CRS provides direct assistance to coffee farmers overseas and supports them by promoting Fair Trade here in the United States. CRS works to help coffee cooperatives inBolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Uganda and Viet Nam to transform their communities by growing great coffee, farming in ecologically responsible ways, and building relationships with Fair Trade coffee companies in the United States.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Green-Mountain-Index.gif?1234290418' alt='Green Mountain' /></a> <a href="http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/" target=_blank>Green Mountain Coffee</a></td> <td>Green Mountain Coffee offers ethically grown and roasted coffee products in the US. They have a passion for making high quality products in a ethical way, taking into consideration the environment, the growers' health, and the satisfaction of the coffee drinkers.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.puravidacoffee.com/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static3.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Pura-Vida-Index.gif?1234291818' alt='Pura Vida' /></a> <a href="http://www.puravidacoffee.com/" target=_blank>Pura Vida Coffee</a></td> <td>This ethical coffee company strives to help coffee grower communities around the world. They follow fair trade practices and are very environmentally conscious.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf" target=_blank> <img src='http://static0.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Cafe-Estima-Index.gif?1234302431' alt='' /></a> <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf" target=_blank>Starbucks Fair Trade info</a> (pdf link)</td> <td>Worldwide, Starbucks is the biggest single purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee. At 40 million pounds by 2009, it helps that every Starbucks in the UK uses 100% fair trade coffee for their espresso based products. In the US, you can find fair trade brews, but more than likely you will have to specifically ask them to make your coffee with fair trade beans.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/credentials/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Dunkin-Donuts-Index.gif?1234302505' alt='Dunkin Donuts' /></a> <a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/credentials/" target=_blank> Dunkin' Donuts Fair Trade Coffee offering </a></td> <td>Dunkin' Donuts offers 100% Fair Trade Certified™ espresso, cappuccino and lattes!</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.seattlesbest.com/#/about/responsibility/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static1.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/Seattles-Best-Index.gif?1234303060' alt='Seattles Best' /></a> <a href="http://www.seattlesbest.com/#/about/responsibility/" target=_blank>Seattle's Best Coffee corporate responsibility</a></td> <td>Seattle's Best Coffee has been committed to helping coffee growers for quite some time now. They serve premium blends of fair trade certified and organic coffee. They are very proud of this, and make it a big part of their offering.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"><a href="http://www.communityagroecology.net/" target=_blank> <img src='http://static2.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9057/files/CAN-Coffee-Index.gif?1239828314' alt='CAN Coffee' /></a> <a href="http://www.communityagroecology.net/" target=_blank>Community Agroecology Network (CAN) Coffee</a></td> <td>CAN is an international network connecting farmers, consumers, students, and educators to create an alternative globalization where people, healthy food systems, and environments come first. CAN works in collaboration with five farming communities in Latin America. This program allows farmers to participate in a large part of the supply chain and earn beyond the Fair Trade coffee trading price.</td> </tr> </table> </notextile>