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Some Facts About Fair Trade Coffee

Fact: America consumes one-fifth of all the world's coffee, making the US the largest consumer of coffee in the world.

Fact: Agriculture workers in the coffee industry often toil in what has been described as "sweatshops in the fields."

Fact: Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than what the costs are to produce.

Fact: A new paradigm for coffee is emerging. When you see "Fair Trade Certified"  you can know that the coffee was purchased under fair trade conditions.

Fact: For coffee farmers and their families, fair trade coffee means livable wages, community development, health, and education.

Fact: To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet strict international criteria which includes:

• Paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26
• Providing much needed credit to farmers
• Providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming.