SOME FACTS ABOUT FAIR TRADE COFFEE
Fact: America consumes one-fifth of all the world’s coffee, making the US the largest consumer of coffee in the world.
Fact: Agriculture workers in the coffee industry often toil in what has been described as “sweatshops in the fields.”
Fact: Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than what the costs are to produce.
Fact: A new paradigm for coffee is emerging. When you see “Fair Trade Certified” you can know that the coffee was purchased under fair trade conditions.
Fact: For coffee farmers and their families, fair trade coffee means livable wages, community development, health, and education.
Fact: To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet strict international criteria which includes:
- Paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26
- Providing much needed credit to farmers
- Providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming.