The Facts About Fair Trade Coffee

Fair Trade Coffee is produced differently than the regular coffee beans. This is not to suggest that the participants in this organization use anything but the finest quality product. Fair Trade Coffee does make sure that the people who harvest and organize the coffee bean products are treated fairly.

People in the Untied States consume one-fifth of all the world's coffee. It is difficult for most of us to imagine a day without the morning brew. However, most of us have no idea how this product is produced, harvested and shipped. We simply like to drink the stuff. Fair Trade Coffee has some information that many coffee drinkers want to know.

Many of the workers who work on plantations that yield the coffee bean are treated unfairly. Fair Trade Coffee is produced on plantations that respect the rights of the workers. The working conditions need to meet certain requirements and the employees need adequate compensation for their work.

Become More Socially Conscious By Supporting Fair Trade

Fair Trade coffee is an organization that helps people find quality products produced under good working conditions for the staff. The focus is social and economic justice in this field of work. If the workers are producing a product under unfair conditions the organization will not certify the product.

Many workers are suffering through their day under awful conditions and for little pay. Why reward companies who treat people this way? Fair Trade Coffee helps you find the best product produced under the right conditions through its certification process.

We should also avoid buying coffee beans from what Fair Trade Coffee refers to as "sweatshops in the field". Many farmers who own some smaller plantations are not treated fairly also. Companies offer small coffee farmers prices for their stock that are often less than the costs of production, leaving the farmer in poverty and desperation.

After talking with my husband about the new information I found through Fair Trade Coffee, and wanting to be more socially conscious consumers, we decided to put our money where our beliefs are. We were surprised to find that there are certified suppliers that offer very reasonable prices. As consumers of Fair Trade Coffee, we are assured that the coffee we drink was purchased under fair conditions. Certified Fair Trade Importers must meet stringent international criteria and pay a minimum of $1.26 per pound for coffee.

The difference in cost between this product and the products found in the grocery stores is minimal and we know that we are doing all we can to support the workers. This just makes our morning cup of coffee more and more rewarding.