Making Your
Morning Cup of Coffee
Fair Trade Coffee.
Whether your coffee is fair trade coffee or not may be the farthest thing from your mind as you try to revive yourself in the morning. But grab a cup of coffee if you need to and find out why making your next cup of coffee fair trade coffee is a good thing.
Coffee has been grown for hundreds of years in many regions of the world where the climate, elevation and topography of the land are perfect for growing coffee beans. Small scale farmers in Kenya, Ethiopia, Columbia, Sumatra, Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, etc. have been following growing practices that have been used by many generations. In some regions coffee growing is the main source of income. It is very important to the survival of growers and workers that they receive a fair price for their coffee beans which many times does not happen. The farmer needing to sell his crop may often be forced to take whatever is offered just to have some income and many are living with poverty and debt. Why should a country such as Ethiopia which is considered by some as the birthplace of coffee for it's rich coffee growing region also be considered one of the poorest countries in the world? After all they are growing a crop that American consumers love and are willing to pay a high price for as proven by the popularity of specialty coffee.
Someone is making money and it's not the small farmer..
That's where Fair Trade coffee comes in. Fair Trade certification insures that your coffee was made from coffee beans of farmers that were treated with dignity and: The farmer receives a set minimum $1.26 price per pound, farmers that have to sell through middlemen earn less than 50 cents per pound according to the Fair Trade Federation. This set price allows the farmer to survive and plan for the future. Credit is provided to the farmer so he can continue and purchase necessary equipment. Technical assistance is provided so farmers can achieve organic certification. Many of these small farmers already grow their crops organically by following age old practices passed down through generations. But it can be a complicated and costly process to receive organic certification. Coffee profits allow growers to invest in health, education and community development. Environmental practices are encouraged. Coffee that is grown under the canopy of shade trees is called shade grown coffee. Farmers work with nature not against. Many large scale coffee plantations cut down trees to increase yield while shade grown coffee preserves rain forest trees and the natural biodiversity these forests provide, preserve local and endangered species along with migratory bird populations, decreases irrigation and improves natural soils. The local ecosystem and the environmental conditions of the earth both benefit. According to coffee lovers shade grown coffee is said to be the best.
At present fair trade farmers sell only 20% of their coffee at fair trade prices the rest is sold at worldwide price due to low demand for fair trade coffee, according to the "Fair Trade Labeling Organization".But you could change that, think of all the good you could be doing with that one little cup of coffee. When you shop look for fair trade brands. Some grocery stores are beginning to carry them. Support companies that want to provide you with a great tasting coffee while conducting their business with respect for people.
Where To Shop Online All coffee below is also organic. You might as well go all the way and buy fair trade and organic coffee. The Fair Trade Coffee Company carries a good selection of regular coffee, coffee blends and flavored coffee. The coffee of the month subscription is a no hassle way to try different flavors each month. Check out The Fair Trade Coffee Company.Cafe Campesino has a very nice selection of coffee available whole bean and in several different grinds plus tea, gifts and equipment for brewing. Go to Cafe Campesino.Pura Vida is a unique fair trade coffee company where a non profit Pura Vida Partners works to help people in coffee growing regions and is supported in part by money made from Pura Vida's online store. Plenty of choices and two different sizes either whole bean or ground. Shop with Pura VidaIt can be very enjoyable and interesting shopping with companies that sell fair trade. You not only shop but you learn about the company, regions and people producing fair trade products. It's feel good reading knowing about the good you are doing. Don't forget to ask for fair trade coffee at your favorite coffee shop.
Return to Fair Trade Products from Fair Trade Coffee
In the mood for chocolate? Try fair trade chocolate.
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