Fair Trade Coffee
One of the terms we often hear associated with coffee is “
Fair Trade.” What does it mean? In very basic terms, here’s what it’s all about:
- Paying farmers a living wage for their harvest.
- Creating direct trade links to farmers and their cooperatives.
- Providing access to affordable credit, helping farmers stay out of debt to local middlemen.
- Promoting sustainable practices, such as organic and shade-grown farming, that help protect the environment.
Fair Trade coffee comes from farmers who have been certified and receive a minimum price for their harvest. Currently this minimum price is approximately
3 times the average market price for green coffee.
Certified farmers are usually part of a grower's cooperative and meet certain quality and socioeconomic standards set by Transfair USA, the leading nonprofit agency providing independent, third-party certification of Fair Trade products in the U.S. This Fair Trade price for green coffee supports a higher standard of living for the farmer's family as well as provides an incentive for maintaining processing operations that result in a higher quality coffee.
Dining Services is committed to offering a Fair Trade option. Beginning in spring 2008, you will find Peet's Fair Trade Coffee at all DS restaurant locations.
