Coffee with a Cause

Enlightened coffee drinkers know that their buying choices can make a difference to the lives and health of the workers who tend and harvest coffee. They are also becoming aware of the environmental effects coffee growing can have on the soil, water, and birds of the region where the coffee is grown.

Support of the fair trade movement has grown quickly around the world. Coffee has become the beacon product for this global movement, which cites "fairness and global social responsibility in international trade" as its mandate.

The fair trade certified emblem is a symbol of assurance that:

• Fair prices have been paid to coffee producers, including men and women.
• Premiums have been paid to improve social conditions in producer communities.
• Producers have been paid in advance to assist in long-term planning.
• Democratic participation has been supported in farmer-owned cooperatives.
• No forced or child labour has been used.
• Sustainable production methods have been supported to assist in cultivating healthy communities and habitats.

For more information: transfair.ca, sierraclub.ca

Source: alive Web Exclusive, January 2008