We probably do not realize it but every time we step into our favourite cafe to hang out with a few friends and have some coffee, we are usually affecting the lives of thousands of people living thousands of miles away from our doorsteps. Kaisay? Because agriculture workers in the coffee industry, in regions such as Brazil and other parts of South America, often toil in what can be described as ‘sweatshops in the fields’." A substantial number of small coffee farmers “receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt.” Most if not all of these farmers have family members to support, be it children, spouses, parents, and/or grandparents - all usually living under the one same roof.
The next time you want to buy coffee, please check to make sure that it has the Fair Trade Certified label. If you do not see the label, ask whether the store sells any Fair Trade Certified coffee - if not, ask them why and whether they have any plans to do so in the future.
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This label makes a positive difference - in order to become Fair Trade certified, an importer must satisfy stringent international criteria, pay a minimum price per pound of $1.26 (regardless of fluctuating prices in the market), provide technical assistance to farmers (such as help transitioning to organic farming), and assist in community development.
Great Idea, and Great Cause. Sadly people usually wont care. If i get the craving for a coffee at block A, and the shop doesnt have a certification, i wont travel all the way to block D to get a certified coffee. Yes, its my laziness - but thats the way people are. Ill tell the block A store owner to maybe signup for the certification - but i wont scavenger around looking for a certificate.
i think it takes joint action on both the part of the consumer (me) and the supplier (the cafe store, whether it's Starbucks or another such outlet). i realize kai it's difficult (especially during our Canadian winters perhaps) to go around looking for stores that actually supply Fair Trade coffee and actually stick with these stores especially if they are far away... That's why it is so important that more and more suppliers supply this type of coffee. Unfortunately, unless the owner is someone who is really socially-conscious, the supplier usually won't offer it unless s/he believes that there will be a demand for it...... and, i might be mistaken but in my opinion, that won't occur unless people consistently demand it of the supplier. That occurred at my university two years ago via the use of petitions - it took a great deal of time, but now Alhamdulillah we do have the option at university of buying Free Trade.
i admit it will not occur easily :( But the benefits are so worth it and above and beyond what we put into it, i think.
Eventhough that i don't drink coffee..i think its a neat idea. I was going through the link..and i am wondering..Nadia do they have such thing in canada as well?
some weeks ago i was hearing something almost same but they were describing it as "coffee direct"........n this is the name of brand n they said its only brand so far which is comiing directly from farmers n benefitting them directly.........is it the same thing.....??????
Thanks a lot Nadia :k: though i don’t see this being implemented for quite some time here in Pakistan…i am glad i am a little learned now and would make a conscious effort the ‘next’ time i have coffee and this fair-trade thing is in place.
PS: Agar yeh sign na mile to kia chai allowed hai?
