Coffee drinkers who choose Fair Trade products help provide higher prices to farmers, creating a fairer trading system and enabling farmers to invest more into community development projects.

Fair Trade benefits farmers, the environment and you and your community. But what exactly is Fair Trade?

What is Fair Trade?

Coffee is one of the world’s favorite beverages, loved for both its delicious taste and stimulating effects. But its production also impacts farmers and workers in developing nations; nearly half of it produced by small farmers under Fair Trade system trading partnerships that ensure success for these entrepreneurs – such as guaranteed minimum prices per harvest as well as additional payments that allow the farmer to invest in community development projects.

Fair Trade operates on the theory that consumers will pay more for locally grown products such as produce or handicrafts if they know that farmers and craftspeople who produce them are being treated fairly. When applied to coffee production, this translates into higher prices that support organic cultivation of high-quality beans. Equal Exchange supports this model through creating trading partnerships based on dialogue and transparency; ultimately helping coffee bean farmers worldwide improve their lives.

Fair Trade label claims are defined and monitored by the Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), who set minimum price levels and ensure producers receive at least these prices for their coffee production. They must also invest in community development programs that benefit workers as well as communities.

Peru, for instance, sources their Fair Trade Organic coffee from APROCASSI cooperative located in San Ignacio and Jaen in Cajamarca Province. Farmers at this cooperative have just embarked on their Fair Trade journey by increasing productivity while investing in quality and social improvement projects.

Fair Trade coffee may not be cheap, but its prices remain competitive with similar high-quality products. By choosing Fair Trade you are showing your community that you care about workers and farmers as well as protecting the environment – many customers in church cafes, school cafes and office cafes can easily afford it by collecting spare change near the coffee pot!

What is Fair Trade USA?

Fair Trade USA labels are an indicator that you are supporting socially and environmentally sustainable businesses. Their program establishes minimum prices that products must sell for, requires organic farming methods in coffee farming processes to protect soil quality while eliminating synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and dedicates a percentage of the additional premium added to Fair Trade prices back into community development projects such as disaster recovery efforts or school construction efforts.

Fair Trade was initially established by Europeans and Americans traveling abroad during the 1930s who noticed that local artisans and farmers weren’t earning enough to support their families. Travelers bought products made by artisans or farmers abroad before returning home with them for higher price sales that brought profits back directly to those who created them – this model allowed more sales in places where these goods could make an impactful impactful difference in people’s lives.

As the fair trade movement grew in popularity, organizations were established to verify the integrity of fair trade practices and offer certification bodies as independent certification bodies. Fairtrade International (FLO) became the parent organization for these independent certification bodies, while in 2013 Fairtrade America became its US affiliate allowing roasters to select between remaining certified by FLO or becoming dually certified so their products could marketable both ways.

Since August of 2018, there has been a disagreement between FT USA and FLO regarding minimum pricing structures; now FT USA only acknowledges contracts signed by its member roasters; leading to much confusion and uncertainty for both labels.

Even amid widespread confusion, Fair Trade certification remains an appealing choice for consumers who prioritize human rights and environmental sustainability when purchasing goods and services. Offering them this certification is also an opportunity to engage customers by telling the stories behind their purchases and connecting them with what motivates you.

What is Rainforest Alliance?

When we see products with the Rainforest Alliance seal on them at a grocery store shelf, we know that farmers who grew the coffee in that bag have met specific standards set forth by that organization to promote sustainability while protecting the environment, creating healthy living conditions for farmers and workers, minimizing chemicals that harm humans and animals, as well as minimising unnecessary use of harmful chemicals.

As for which label is best, that depends on your priorities. Fair Trade International prioritizes social issues (alleviating poverty and providing fair working conditions), Rainforest Alliance places greater focus on environmental aspects like wildlife conservation and ecosystems while UTZ sits somewhere in between. Furthermore, all three labels mentioned here are working collaboratively towards developing an agriculture sustainability standard and certification program which will replace their respective current programs.

This new change allows farms to perform one audit and gain certification with two of the world’s most recognized sustainable agriculture and coffee labeling organizations in one easy step, giving consumers more options while helping eliminate confusion over which sustainable product they’re purchasing.

At times of global commerce, it can be hard to interpret what different labels mean. So many of us pay extra when purchasing at farmers markets or choosing organic products in stores – something many are doing when purchasing locally-produced food and drink. But as consumers strive to do their part in protecting these farmers and growers.

The Rainforest Alliance provides multiple seals that can be found on products including coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas and more. If a product carries the green Rainforest Alliance Frog Seal it indicates it was grown on a farm that met specific standards relating to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.

These standards require that coffee farms implementing Bird Friendly Habitat standards avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that could harm both people and wildlife, limit erosion and preserve native trees for maximum soil quality. Furthermore, Bird Friendly Habitat certified coffee is grown in an environment which protects wildlife habitat while minimising loss of native trees from its surrounding farms.

What is Bird Friendly Habitat?

Establishing a bird friendly habitat in your yard or other outdoor space can be a rewarding project. Birds make great additions to gardens, helping with pest control, pollination and seed disperal. But it’s essential that birds have access to native plant communities for food and shelter – non-native trees, bushes and flowers can actually harm their habitat!

New Hope Audubon chapter of National Audubon Society reports that local plants have developed alongside wildlife living in forests and fields over time, such as birds. Local wildlife depend on these native plants for many purposes such as insect food sources, seeds and fruits for nutrition purposes as well as protection and shelter while raising young.

Planting native species of plants is one way to support birds, but people can contribute further by speaking out for the conservation of migratory songbirds and their habitat. Furthermore, property owners could create bird-friendly outdoor spaces by eliminating bird mortality caused by invasive plants, reducing pesticide usage, or leaving some areas slightly wilder.

People can support bird protection efforts by purchasing coffee or chocolate with the Smithsonian Bird Friendly seal. This certifies that it was grown on farms meeting sustainability standards that safeguard farmers, their families, forests, wildlife and communities – such as by offering canopy cover and tree height diversity that benefits wildlife such as migratory birds – along with strict limits on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that may harm birds – this way people directly support efforts of farmers who help preserve migratory bird populations in their environments.