As a coffee lover, you likely have a passion for the rich, bold flavor of a freshly brewed cup of joe. But have you ever thought about where your coffee comes from and the impact it has on the environment and the farmers who grow it?
Enter fair trade coffee.
Fair trade is a movement that aims to improve the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries by ensuring they receive fair wages and working conditions. In the world of coffee, this means supporting sustainable farming practices, protecting the environment, and providing farmers with the resources they need to thrive.
In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of fair trade coffee and recommend some of the best fair trade coffee brands available.
What is Fair Trade Coffee?
Fair trade is an alternative trade model that prioritizes the well-being of farmers and workers in developing countries. It seeks to create more equitable and sustainable trading relationships by offering higher prices and better working conditions to farmers and workers in these countries.
Fair trade coffee is coffee that has been certified by a third-party organization, such as Fairtrade International or the Fair Trade USA, to meet certain standards of sustainability and fair labor practices.
These standards include:
Providing farmers with a fair price for their coffee, which is often higher than the market price. This helps farmers cover their costs and invest in their communities.
Ensuring farmers and workers receive decent working conditions and wages, and protecting their rights.
Promoting sustainable farming practices, such as protecting the environment, conserving water, and reducing the use of chemicals and pesticides.
Supporting farmer cooperatives and organizations, which help farmers to negotiate better prices and working conditions, and to invest in their communities.
Providing farmers with access to credit and other resources, such as training and technical assistance, to help them improve their farming practices and increase their income.
Why Choose Fair Trade Coffee?
Fair trade coffee offers a number of benefits for farmers, workers, and the environment. Here are some of the key reasons to choose fair trade coffee:
It supports farmers and workers in developing countries. The fair trade model ensures that farmers and workers receive fair wages and working conditions, which can help to improve their lives and communities.
It promotes sustainable farming practices. Fair trade coffee is grown using environmentally-friendly methods, which helps to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
It offers a higher quality product. Fair trade coffee is often grown at higher altitudes and in more diverse environments, which can result in a higher-quality bean with more complex flavors.
It supports farmer cooperatives and organizations. Fair trade supports the development of farmer cooperatives and organizations, which can help farmers to negotiate better prices and working conditions, and to invest in their communities.
Best Fair Trade Coffee Brands
Now that you know the benefits of fair trade coffee, you may be wondering where to find it. Fortunately, there are many great fair trade coffee brands available. Here are some of our top recommendations:
French Roasted Coffee LLC’s Organic Columbian (Mediam Roast): This popular blend is certified organic and fair trade. It has a smooth and balanced flavor with notes of almond and chocolate, and a hint of citrus.
Tiny Footprint Coffee’s Nicaragua Segovia Dark Roast: The world’s first carbon negative coffee, Tiny Footprint Coffee makes a donation to fund reforestation in Ecuador’s Mindo cloud forest for every pound sold. Their Nicaragua Segovia whole bean is a 100% Arabica dark roast with both notes of chocolate and hints of apricot, fig, and spice.
Volcanica Coffee Company’s Peru Coffee (Tres Cumbres): This brand sources their beans directly from small farmers in the Chanchamayo region of Peru. Peru Coffee Tres Cumbres offers a full-bodied flavor with floral and smoky overtones. Volcanic Coffee Company is family owned and their coffee is organically grown, Rainforest Alliance Certified and Fair-Trade Certified.
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