Not so fun fact: There was a coffee crisis in 1988 that devastated coffee growers everywhere (especially third world and developing countries) when the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) was not renewed. Prices plummeted, and ultimately farmers' wages dropped significantly, forcing farmers to abandon their land or grow other, more profitable crops. With no price quotas in place, the supply of coffee far exceeded the demand.
Bearing this in mind, it was the Netherlands that first attempted fair trade certification. By fabricating an increase in the price of coffee, they attempted to obtain the goal of providing sufficient wages to producers. After a few years of hits and misses, a few organizations were created to help stabilize the market for coffee. These organizations ultimately came together to form what is now Fairtrade International.
Bearing this in mind, it was the Netherlands that first attempted fair trade certification. By fabricating an increase in the price of coffee, they attempted to obtain the goal of providing sufficient wages to producers. After a few years of hits and misses, a few organizations were created to help stabilize the market for coffee. These organizations ultimately came together to form what is now Fairtrade International.
Fair Trade Coffee: 10 Great Brands You Gotta Try
What Is Fair Trade Coffee
Fair trade coffee is certified fair trade according to organizations like the Fair Trade Federation, a non-profit organization that audits goods like coffee, cocoa and tea from point of origin to point of sale against fair trade criteria (see below for deets). Fair trade organizations are actively engaged in supporting sustainable environmental farming practices. Today, fair trade benefits more than 1.2 million farming families in 70 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. How cool is that?
Fair trade products have to meet a strong set of standards set by the organizations, standards you and I might take for granted in the USA. These include:
Fair trade products have to meet a strong set of standards set by the organizations, standards you and I might take for granted in the USA. These include:
- Family farmers receiving fair prices for their harvest;
- Safe working conditions, freedom of association and fair wages;
- Forced child labor is strictly prohibited; and
- Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited.
Currently, there are four (4) membership organizations and five (5) fair trade certifiers that follow these 10 principles of fair trade.
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Now that you are familiar with fair trade, here are 10 certified fair-trade coffees you gotta try!
1. Mommee Coffee--full caff, low acid, ground, 12 oz.
2. Java Planet--Colombian gourmet specialty grade A low acid, whole bean, 1 lb.
3. Kohana Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate--organic, low-acid, 32 oz.
4. Laird Superfood Organic Whole Bean Peruvian Coffee--medium roast, 14 oz.
5. White Knight--light roast organic coffee artisan blend, whole bean, 2 lb.
6. Colombia Jo--organic ground Colombian, medium roast, 12 oz.
7. Death Wish--"The World's Strongest Coffee", organic, ground, 12 oz.
8. Baronet Coffee--dark Kenya AA dark roast, 18-ct coffee pods (Pack of 3)
9. Equal Exchange Organic Coffee--Colombian ground, 12 oz.
10. Larry's Coffee--Mocha Java blend, organic, whole bean, 5 lb.
2. Java Planet--Colombian gourmet specialty grade A low acid, whole bean, 1 lb.
3. Kohana Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate--organic, low-acid, 32 oz.
4. Laird Superfood Organic Whole Bean Peruvian Coffee--medium roast, 14 oz.
5. White Knight--light roast organic coffee artisan blend, whole bean, 2 lb.
6. Colombia Jo--organic ground Colombian, medium roast, 12 oz.
7. Death Wish--"The World's Strongest Coffee", organic, ground, 12 oz.
8. Baronet Coffee--dark Kenya AA dark roast, 18-ct coffee pods (Pack of 3)
9. Equal Exchange Organic Coffee--Colombian ground, 12 oz.
10. Larry's Coffee--Mocha Java blend, organic, whole bean, 5 lb.
I couldn't resist wrapping up a serious post about coffee without including some humorous coffee mugs! Ch-ch-check these out:
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