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Why Organic Free Trade Coffee Is Good For You
By purchasing organic free trade coffee, you are supporting farmers committed to social justice and environmental sustainability. Your purchase will make a positive difference for families, communities and the planet alike.
Conventionally traded coffee, often produced on large estates or small farms and then sold through an opaque market governed by New York futures prices and where speculators (known as coyotes) take advantage of price fluctuations to pay only a portion of market value to farmers, Fair Trade puts more money directly in the hands of family farmers who produce our favorite beverage while simultaneously supporting community ownership of businesses and quality improvement through producer cooperatives.
Fair Trade helps farmers not only increase their incomes but also build sustainable businesses and strengthen communities by offering a Fair Trade Premium that can be invested into any project of the farmer’s choice, managing risk from fluctuating coffee prices while planning for future success.
Premiums become even more significant when considering that global demand for coffee has steadily increased at a time when global poverty continues to worsen and climate change impacts become more pronounced. It is crucial that all members of the supply chain contribute toward alleviating world poverty while compensating farmers fairly for their hard work.
Fair Trade also provides a safer working environment for workers on coffee farms, with certified farms adhering to strict working conditions standards and eschewing the use of forced or child labor.
Fair trade and organic certifications often overlap; many coffee farmers who adhere to fair trade standards also practice organic farming methods – hence why you will often see both labels on one piece of coffee.
When shopping for coffee, be sure to inquire whether your local shop supports Fair Trade farmers and which certifications they hold. Furthermore, inspect the ingredients in your cup so as to ensure you’re not drinking anything that was treated with synthetic pesticides or herbicides. As previously stated, roasting burns off any chemicals present, but if possible it is best to go further by choosing Fair Trade organic certified products. This option is the most eco-friendly and will offer the most satisfying flavor experience. Your money goes toward helping farmers create sustainable futures for themselves and their descendants.