I'm a coffee snob.
I buy only organically grown coffee, I always buy locally roasted coffee, and I only buy Fair Trade coffee.
Why?
Coffee is a luxury item, imported from far away and grown (usually) through the exploitation of the people and environment that produce it. Exploitation of humans and of the Earth really clashes with my worldview. I believe in sustainability in all things, cooperation and mutual benefit in business, and in the universal human rights to clean air, clean water, and clean food.
By choosing organic and Fair Trade, I know that when I stumble out of bed and head to the kitchen to start my coffee, I'm also choosing to support the people and principles that I stand behind.
I buy organic, because organic agriculture has the potential to restore our soil and water to health, it's how nature intended, and because organically grown food just tastes better. I buy Fair Trade products because fair wages and environmental sustainability are important to me.
What is Fair Trade, you ask?
Fair Trade Principles:
- A fair price: A living wage is the goal. Farmers receive a guaranteed minimum price, and may get an extra premium for growing certified organic products. Prices and wages are fair and livable in the local context.
- Safe workplace: Forced child labor is prohibited. Workers are free to form their own democratically run associations and participate in decisions affecting them.
- Cut out the middleman: Importers deal directly with the producers or their association, taking out the extra expense of a third party to the transaction.
- Transparency and accountability: With independent third-party audits and certification, you can be assured that the products you buy comply with Fair Trade principles.
- Community development: Fair Trade farmers and workers invest their Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects, such as scholarships, training, and organic certification. Strong communities means means farmers can feed their families and their children can go to school (instead of working in the fields).
- Preservation of cultural identity: Fair Trade products can support the social benefits of traditional forms of production to communities, enabling more farmers and craftsmen to continue with their way of life.
- Sustainability: Harmful agricultural chemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are strictly prohibited. Environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect the health of the farmers and preserve ecosystems for the future are key to Fair Trade production.
Certification of Fair Trade products is through organizations such as TransFair USA, the Fair Trade Federation, the International Fair Trade Association, and the Fair Trade Foundation. Producer networks in Africa, Asia, and Latin America join Fair Trade farmers for better representation and opportunities.
The Fair Trade products currently on the market are coffee, cocoa (and chocolate), sugar, bananas, tea and herbs, rice, honey, vanilla, and cut flowers. Some Fair Trade handicrafts are available (Ten Thousand Villages stores), and cotton, beer, and wine are certified in Europe.
The next time you have a choice, choose social justice and sustainability.
Choose Fair Trade.
Image: Nuuuuuuuuuuul on Flickr under Creative Commons
October 25th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Many people who do Enemas will use coffee for induced vaso dilation. The onyl type allowed to enter your body is organic, high grade - nothing less! If you can only put Oragnic up one way, then why should that not apply down the other way?
October 25th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I have bought organic coffee on many occasions but the problem is it tends to be more expensive (quite a lot more expensive) than most coffee. It is however a far more enjoyable cup of coffee
October 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
paloma said:
Exactly. I cannot enjoy something as luxurious as a cup of coffee knowing it was produced through mistreatment of both people and the environment..
October 26th, 2008 at 3:24 am
coffee is also my favourite and as i get up in the same way i want a cup of coffee before even opening my eyes. a cup of coffee gives me a lot of energy and enthusiasm to start my work. infact i m suffering from morning sickness and try to avoid morning as much as i can. I always think if there would not be a cup of organic coffee then how could I do my work.
October 26th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Since I read the news about how many water have being wasted annually by Starbucks, I have tried to make my own coffee in my house, by buying those locally roasted organic coffee beans...
October 26th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I do not buy organic coffee, and I should. It is one of the last foods at our house that is non-organic. You make some great points, so I am going to switch. Thanks.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I love gourmet coffee!
October 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I have tried Irish Cream Coffee and it is just so delicious.
October 26th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Not a coffee guy myself- unless I need something to keep me awake, and then I drink it black. I am big into tea though, and I've found that locally grown herbal teas taste far superior to any teas I've bought at the grocery store.
I actually have some tea plants growing as houseplants, but they haven't gotten big enough to start picking leaves from.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I love to drink coffee. I have not try organic coffee yet. Hope to try it one day. Thanks for sharing the information!
October 27th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
You just reminded me that I need to get up and get my cup of coffee.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I'm so happy Derek's first post had this much response so far!
October 29th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Hi! I love drinking coffee and doing coffee shakes for me and my sisters but I do not know what kind of coffee I use. Are there any ways to know if I buy an organic one? Can you please give me some tips about it?
By the way I am from the Philippines, is our country included to the "Fair Trade"?
October 29th, 2008 at 11:28 am
[...] learn where else he writes on our about page. Derek's first post at Focus Organic can be seen here: Fair Trade for Social Justice and a Sustainable Future. I'm putting a call out there for more guest posters and/or recurring co-authors. Guest posters [...]
October 30th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
[...] to do with Autumn! Here is a recipe for one my favorite Autumn foods... have it with some coffee and bask in the fall yumminess... and make sure to share some with [...]
October 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
The only way to be sure that your coffee is organically grown and Fair Trade certified is by the label.
If it doesn't say organic, then it isn't...
January 19th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
i love the gourmet coffee too
April 24th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I was really happy the first time I saw a Fair Trade sign. I read it carefully and purchased the coffee associated with it. I try to spend my money in ways that promote human rights and are good for the planet. For example, I always buy organic coffee beans. They don't cost that much more and they are way easier on the planet.