What Does Fair Trade Coffee Really Mean?
10 Brands Providing Delicious Fair Trade Coffee
________________________________________________________________
Ah, coffee! The best part of waking up. The alarm clock you don’t want to push snooze on, or throw across the room!
Having that first cup of coffee in the morning can feel downright magical!
I run on coffee, and apparently — so does America. In fact, statistics show that 54 percent of Americans over the age of 18 drink an average of 3 cups per day.
With over half of the American population sharing this passion for that ever-so-popular cup of joe, do we ever stop to think about the journey?
I’m talking about the journey of those coffee beans. How they grew from the attention and hard work of a farmer — simply trying to provide for his family, and ended up in your favorite mug.
Where did that coffee bean originate from? What is life like in that part of the world? With fair trade coffee, you have the answers to these questions.
Let’s dig into what fair trade is and why it should be your first choice.
If you are in a serious relationship with coffee — like I totally am — I encourage you to get to know it a little better.
When you buy fair trade coffee, you can travel along the seed-to-cup journey.
You get the inside scoop, learning who put the actual labor in — from planting to harvesting. And you learn about the benefits the farmer receives from this direct trade.
Direct trade is a term used by coffee roasters who buy straight from the growers. Direct trade and transparency at all levels lead to healthy relationships.
What is fair trade coffee?
The fair trade movement began as a way to connect disadvantaged producers to vibrant, global markets. The goal was to create trading partnerships founded on transparency, fairness, and economic empowerment.
This movement delivers long-term benefits to farms, factories, fisheries, and the people who represent them. Imagine the difference this makes for a community!
“Before, we would sell our products at low and unstable prices. But thankfully we have had the opportunity to participate in fair trade since the beginning, which has allowed us to get ahead while caring for our families.” Felipa Rios, sugarcane and coffee grower at Cooperativa Norandino in Peru, testimonial from Fair Trade USA.
By buying fair trade, you are becoming a partner in empowering individuals, helping build strong communities, taking steps to protect the planet, and changing the way the world does business.
And you can feel good about this every time you pour yourself a cup.
What are the benefits of fair trade?
- Fair trade empowers and impacts farmers dramatically, giving them what they deserve and improving their communities through education, health care, and even building schools.
- Farmers are paid fairly. When farmers are paid fairly, they don’t need to produce massive quantities to make ends meet.
- Quality over quantity! This is the secret to a great cup of coffee.
- There’s no need to cut down forests to plant crops, just to sell enough to provide.
- Fair trade breaks the dependence on the middlemen — who don’t always have the farmers’ best interest in mind.
The advantage of fair trade is the benefit of transparency and supporting ethical decisions. This is a simple idea — that the livelihoods of others connect us to the products we buy and sell. Fair trade is a way to make a valuable and conscious choice for a better world.
“Last year, Fair Trade USA® empowered more than 975,000 farmers and workers in 45 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and the Caribbean to reach better terms with their trading partners. Fair trade empowers people to make choices for the good of themselves and their community, regardless of gender, status, position in society, or position on the globe. Rigorous standards give farmers and workers a voice in the workplace and the community” according to Fair Trade USA.
So grab yourself a cup of fair trade coffee and know — you’re doing your part to support coffee farmers around the world.
Why buy fair trade coffee?
What if I told you, your decision to buy fair trade honors hard-working farmers?
Coffee is one of the world’s most valuable commodities, second only to oil. This bean has enormous potential. At every single point along the supply chain, from growing and roasting — to brewing and sipping, we have the chance to change lives.
Fair trade has a positive impact on farmers. When you make the decision to purchase fair trade coffee, you’re helping those people improve their lives, their families’ lives, and their communities’ livelihood.
Such a small decision — what kind of coffee you buy — can make a significant impact on many people!
The next time you’re relaxing with your favorite cup of java, think about the individuals that produced those coffee beans.
Think about how — by purchasing fair trade coffee — you’ve helped those families and communities improve their standard of living and given them a glimpse of a fair, kind, and caring world.
You can make a huge difference in the world, one great cup of coffee at a time, and it’s so easy.
“Thanks to Fair trade, we will not die of hunger. We will not lose our land. Our children can attend school. I want to send thanks to all of the churches that purchase our coffee. Thanks to you, we have a seed of hope in our lives.” Jose Luis Castillo Vasquez, member of the Equal Exchange-supported Las Colinas cooperative, El Salvador, and father of six.
Fair Trade Brands Worth Waking up For
Here are 10 fair trade brands that you can feel good about supporting. Rest assured that these blends also satisfy your taste buds — brewing delicious coffee that’s worth waking up for!
1. Furnace Hills Coffee
Ethics | Fair trade / shade-grown / hand-picked / donates to National Down Syndrome Society
“From the far away regions of Ethiopia, to the shade covered mountain slopes of Hondorus, we look far and wide to gather the highest quality beans from around the world. We freshly roast our coffee, package it in vacuum-sealed valve bags, and immediately ship it to you. This is how we ensure that you receive your coffee in the freshest condition possible.”
Check out their Whiskey Barrel Blend. A light roast with smooth flavors and a hint of whiskey on the finish that makes for an amazing cup of coffee.
2. Higher Ground Roasters
Ethics | Fair trade / organic / shade-grown
“Higher Ground was born through the combination of a desire to produce the highest quality coffee and the hope of improving the act of doing business in today’s world. We purchase and roast exclusively 100% Certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade Grown Coffee.”
You have to try their Organic Black Warrior Riverkeeper Roast — wow! A clean, nutty coffee with a bright snap and a milk chocolate finish.
3. Grumpy Mule
Ethics | Fair trade / Rainforest Alliance / organic
“To say that Grumpy Mule only cares about coffee is not entirely fair. He, and we, also care about our farmers, our growers and our customers. And other mules. And carrots. And a well-placed scratch behind the ears. But that’s about it. Ever since we were founded in 2006 (becoming part of the Bewley’s family in 2013), the mission has been to fight the blight of bad coffee — coffee that’s throwaway, unethically sourced and tastes like an industrial accident.”
I recommend Brasil Doterra Sunrise. Caramel, biscuit, and hazelnut… do I really need to say more? Yum!
4. Wandering Bear Coffee
Ethics | USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified
“This is cold brew for coffee lovers who are looking to lead a life unhibernated. We keep things simple. Our coffee comes in boxes because that’s the best way to keep our brew fresh and “on-tap” when you need it. Our coffee is strong, because nothing great ever started with a weak cup. Our coffee is organic because we believe in quality from inception. Compromise is good. Just not when it comes to coffee. Caffeinate uncompromised. Live unhibernated.”
They have the BEST cold brew! Try the Extra Strong Cold Brew — small-batch, dark, full-bodied, and chocolaty.
5. Rise Up Coffee Roasters
Ethics | Fair trade, organic
“The farmer who grew this coffee should receive the glory. We are among the fortunate who get to roast their beautiful coffees and share them with you. By staying committed to the time-honored craft of artisanal coffee roasting, we strive to make them proud.”
My personal favorite blend from Rise Up is the Organic Maryland Coffee. Its delicate combination of flavors yields a clean and sweet taste.
6. Allegro Coffee
Ethics | Fair trade, organic
“We were founded in 1977, by specialty coffee pioneers who believed that where and how your coffee is grown matters. That simple founding ethic guides us to this day. We’re proud that every great cup of allegro coffee you enjoy work harder than ever to create fairness for farmers, healthy ecosystems, and prosperity for the people and communities we serve.”
Another personal favorite. The Organic Italian Roast is a medium-dark roast with velvety, rich and bittersweet flavor notes.
7. Conscious Coffees
Ethics | Fair trade, organic, B Corporation
“We’re perfecting the art and science of roasting the most exquisite organic beans. Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, we’re among the oldest organic coffee roasters in colorado and our team of coffee connoisseurs is dedicated to perfecting their craft. Maybe we’re a little high on elevation and caffeine, but we’re pretty convinced this is the best bean for you and the planet.”
I highly recommend Organic Mexico, from the Chiapas Region. Bittersweet chocolate, pecan and raisin with a clean, crisp finish.
8. Wonderstate Coffee
Ethics | Fair trade, organic
“Handcrafting coffee is our passion and pursuit, all day, every day. We aim to deliver magic by the cup — coffee that’s soulful, satisfying, and deeply delicious. What drives us? A desire to measure up to strict standards we set for ourselves, from field to final package. We seek out relationships with farmers whose restless quest for excellence matches our own.”
Bright and distinctive, the Organic Ethiopia Halo Hartume blend has notes of floral, honeydew, and green apple. You have to give this a try!
9. Salt Spring Coffee
Ethics | Fair For Life, B Corporation, organic
“All of our coffee is organic and fair trade — we have a selection of eight premium whole bean coffees and a seasonal rotation of limited edition coffees from different coffee growing regions.”
I recommend the Blue Heron. It’s a medium-dark roast with a milk chocolate, nutty and citrus blend. It’s both sweet and spicy.
10. Cafe Mam
Ethics | Fair trade, organic, shade-grown
“Since 1990, Cafe Mam (say ‘mom’) has been committed to sourcing only Fair Trade, organic and shade-grown coffee from indigenous cooperatives. Cafe mam coffee is grown by native Mayan farmers living in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico.”
The French Roast and Italian Roast are absolutely delicious. They are dark-roasted, incredibly intense with a smoky taste. If you enjoy bold coffee, you’ll fall in love at first sip.
Remember, every time you buy fair trade, you are casting a vote for fair treatment of laborers around the globe who are providing you with your daily coffee fix. Make that vote COUNT!
You have the power to use every dollar you spend to make a difference, so why wait? A simple change to your morning coffee can have world-changing — and delicious — results.
Do you have a favorite fair trade coffee that isn’t on this list? Share in the comments, let’s broaden our horizons and expand our coffee-loving palates!
