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Important Message about "Fair" Trade Coffee
Dec 20, 2011
As third party certifications like Fair Trade and Organic are being co-opted by the multi-national roasters, small-scale operations are looking to alternatives to deepen the commitment to their growers. This past fall Trans Fair USA (AKA Fair Trade USA), one of the biggest Fair Trade labeling organizations, announced that it was to abandon it’s original commitment to the international Fair Trade system. They are now certifying large plantations and multi-national corporations to open up larger markets and increase profits. This goes in contrast to one of the original missions of Fair Trade labeling, which is to support democratic small farmer organizations, to ensure, equitable, fair and just outcomes for the small producers who often are exploited and marginalized by the industry.
Roasters committed to supplying 100% Fair Trade coffee are unable to compete when these large coffee roasters carrying no more than 5, 10, 15% fair trade coffee are able to call their coffee Fair Trade certified. The certification no longer holds roasters accountable for the other aspects of trade beyond the set minimum price the way it once did.
Roasters like Just Coffee believe that Fair Trade means more than just paying the minimum price per pound, but establishing lasting relationships with growers. This translates to transparent trade, toward a model of direct trade (although Just Coffee is not explicitly direct trade), where a meaningful and lasting relationship is developed and maintained between the growers/ producers and sellers/ consumers.
Just Coffee is a part of Cooperative Coffees, a green coffee importing cooperative. Co-op Coffees works with community-based roasters that are committed to furthering fair and sustainable trade relationships for the benefit of the growers and their communities. Co-op Coffees works to promote transparent trade and provide sustainable development alternatives both to the growers abroad and the roasters here in the US.
Red Emma's is proud to carry and support coffee from roasters such as Just Coffee for their deep commitment to just, sustainable, and true fair trade.
Read more about Trans Fair's abandonment to the international Fair Trade certification system and reactions from small producers/ farmers.
