Fair Trade Coffee

These days, I'm sure that you've heard a lot about "fair trade" coffee. The term has become more common and is something that many coffee lovers are paying attention to when they select their coffee products. What are we paying attention to, though? What exactly does "fair trade" mean?

To begin with, there's no "university accepted" definition of "fair trade." Instead, fair trade labeling organizations rely on a definition supplied by FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks: Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Network of European Worldshops, and European Fair Trade Association (EFTA). According to their definition, the term "fair trade" refers to:

1. a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.
2. contributing to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers- especially in the South.
3. organizations, backed by consumers, that are actively engaged in supporting producers, in raising awareness, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The term "fair trade" can also be applied to many other commodities, such as cocoa and textiles. Prior to fair trade, prices were regulated by the International Coffee Organization according to the regulations set forth by the International Coffee Agreement of 1962. This agreement set limits on the amount of coffee traded between countries so there would be no excess supply, and consequently a drop in price. The agreement has been modified several times since its creation.

So, what does it mean when modern day coffee vendors are advertising their product as being fair trade certified? The fair trade movement promotes sustainability, which has become more important to consumers over the last decade. It's also important to note that the majority of coffee producers/farm owners are located in developing nations; their products are bought and sold on a relatively volatile market. The fair trade movement also seeks to improve the financial health and profitability of these small producers and farm owners. In other words, buying coffee that is fair trade certified means that you are making a conscious decision to support sustainability and promote the financial well-being of those who produce the coffee beans.

Green Mountain Coffee is one company that is working to make a real difference in the world of fair trade coffee. Their products are carefully selected and cultivated in order to bring you the best possible flavors. Even better, they share their success with the rest of the world, by working hard to better their own communities. That cup of coffee tastes much better when you know that the farmers who grew those coffee beans received a fair price for their labor.

Since I'm a BzzAgent, I was able to sample some of Green Mountain Coffee's products. They were so good that I went out and purchased additional products. One of my personal favorites is their Wild Mountain Blueberry blend. Green Mountain Coffee is also available in K-Cups, for those of you who happen to own a Keurig (or similar device).

My friends and family really enjoyed Green Mountain Coffee. I think the only product that we didn't care for was the iced coffee. Trust me, there is more to iced coffee than simply pouring hot coffee over ice. Otherwise, I enjoyed each and every product that I sampled, and I've definitely converted a few friends as well. I highly recommend Green Mountain Coffee to my fellow coffee lovers: their products provide an ethical way to enjoy something that we all love. Namely, great coffee.