Colorado Coffee Exchange  
www.Roasters2000.com  
215 E. Foothills Pkwy.  B-4 
Foot Hills Mall - Fort Collins, Colorado  80525
970-223-0300 | Toll Free 877-532-0300 | mail@roasters2000.com

What is Fairtrade?

The term Fair Trade Coffee refers to an independently audited certification and labeling system for products, (see logo below) which ensures that the farmers and workers producing the product are paid a fair return for their work.  TransFair USA is the primary organization currently overseeing Fair Trade coffee practices in the United States, while the Fairtrade Foundation does so in the United Kingdom.

Fairtrade is about giving poor farmers and communities a fair go by:

• paying farmers and workers a fair price for their work
• helping them gain the skills and knowledge they need to develop their businesses in the global economy
• providing a certification and labeling system to ensure Fairtrade standards are met and that the benefits of Fairtrade get back to the farmer who grew the coffee

Fairtrade also means farmers and communities:

• using improved environmental methods for growing coffee
• establishing democratic associations or co-operatives to undertake local community development projects with the proceeds of Fairtrade resulting in local health services, credit schemes and improvements to local schools
• have access to low cost credit and technical assistance

The certification system

For coffee each part of the supply chain is certified – the farmers, the importers and the roasters. This means that the sale of coffee can be tracked and audited to ensure that the benefits of Fairtrade are getting back to the farmer who grew the coffee. This coffee then carries the Fairtrade logo (right). For more information about the certification system go to www.fairtrade.net.

How much do farmers earn from certified Fairtrade coffee?

A minimum price of $3.80AU per kilo ($US1.21 per pound) is paid for the coffee almost double than the current world market rate. Also certified Fairtrade coffee producer co-operatives receive an additional premium of 15 ¢ AU a kilo, is paid for either the economic or social development of the community the coffee is produced in.

How do you know if coffee is Fairtrade?

Coffee that is fairly traded bears the Fairtrade logo. The logo means that the coffee has been traded by certified Fairtrade importers and roasters. The Fairtrade Certification and Labeling system provides consumers with independently audited assurances that the coffee has been fairly traded.

How does Fairtrade coffee taste?

Fairtrade coffee tastes great. The only difference in how Fairtrade coffee is grown is that as farmers receive a better price for their coffee they are able to better look after their crop. The taste and quality of Fairtrade coffees vary just like the taste and quality of other coffees vary.

Do the benefits of Fairtrade get back to the farmer?

The Fairtrade Certification and Labeling System requires farmers, importers and roasters to audit their business to ensure that the benefits get back to the farmers.

Will Fairtrade coffee cost more?

As importers pay a little more for Fairtrade coffee there will usually be a small additional cost to consumers. However as we are talking about the farmer earning around 5 cents for the coffee in a Fairtrade cappuccino as against around 3 cents from a non-Fairtrade cappuccino any difference in price should be very affordable.

Last updated Saturday, April 05, 2008