Coffee is a lifeblood for many people. We love our coffee and we wouldn’t give it up for anything. But what if you could enjoy your daily caffeine fix AND make the world a better place at the same time?
Better World Café is Australia’s first 100% fair trade café, meaning they buy all their beans from farmers who are paid a fair price, not exploited by corporations who pay slave wages.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Fair trade coffee ensures farmers are paid a fair price for their crop, helps reduce poverty, and supports sustainable farming practices. |
| Choosing Fair Trade coffee is an impactful way to make a positive change for communities and the environment. |
| Fair trade is not only about coffee – it extends to other goods like cocoa, sugar, and bananas. |
| Fair Trade certifications ensure transparency in the supply chain and ethical production practices. |
| Supporting local coffee farmers and choosing sustainable coffee brands is an important element in the Fair Trade movement. |
The environment
Fair trade coffee is grown on small farms, and the farmers are paid a fair price for their product. This means that growers can invest in better methods and equipment that preserve the environment.
Because of this, the number of trees being cut down to make way for coffee plantations has actually been reduced.
Furthermore, there’s no need for chemicals or pesticides as they are not needed to grow fair trade coffee. These practices ensure that our planet is protected while also ensuring that farmers receive a living wage
Sustainable coffee farming practices are crucial to the growth of the coffee industry. According to Unified Coffees, The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Coffee Farming Practices is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the environment through fair trade coffee consumption.
Low-income farmers
The fair trade price is a guaranteed minimum price.
Fair trade farmers are paid an additional 20% above the market price of their coffee, which means that they make at least as much money per pound than non-fair trade farmers do.
They receive technical assistance and training so that they can improve their methods of growing and harvesting their produce, as well as develop sustainable practices for their farms.
Fair trade farmers are also given access to international markets, which allows them to sell more specialty coffees from around the world
| Region | Number of Low-Income Farmers | Percentage of Low-Income Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 520 million | 80% |
| Asia | 128 million | 81% |
| Latin America | 15 million | 43% |
| Europe & Central Asia | 8.6 million | 56% |
The Plight of Low-Income Farmers
Low-income farmers make up the majority of the agricultural workforce in many regions around the world. According to data, regions such as Africa and Asia have the highest number of low-income farmers, with around 80% and 81% respectively.
While the percentage is lower in Latin America, it still represents millions of people who struggle to make a living through agriculture. Promoting fair trade and sustainable farming practices can help to empower low-income farmers by ensuring fair prices for their crops and promoting long-term economic sustainability.
Trade justice
Fair trade coffee is a great choice because it supports producers who are treated fairly. It is not only good for the producer, but also for the environment and the world.
Fair trade coffee is grown and produced in a way that respects the people who grow it, which means they are paid fair prices and work safe conditions.
Fair trade means that farmers receive a price above market value, allowing them to invest more in their communities and families so they can rise out of poverty.
By working with small-scale farmers, fair trade helps build long-lasting relationships between producers and buyers that can last decades or even generations!
There’s an environmental benefit as well: Fair trade supports environmentally friendly farming practices like organic agriculture since pesticides aren’t needed on crops that have been properly cultivated by humans instead of machines or chemicals
At a time when sustainability matters more than ever, Unified Coffees shares why every coffee lover should care about the environment. According to the article Why Every Coffee Lover Should Care About Sustainability, fair trade coffee is one of the best ways to support sustainable coffee farming practices around the world.
The economy
Fair trade coffee is a great investment. By buying fair trade products, you are building sustainable businesses and providing farmers with opportunities to make a decent living.
These farmers grow the beans that you enjoy drinking every day, so when you decide to purchase fair trade coffee, your money will stay in their community instead of going to large corporations who don’t know where their profits are coming from.
The most important thing about fair trade is that it provides farmers with a higher price for their crops so they can have more money to spend on improving their lives. This means they can hire more people or buy more land or equipment whatever they need!
The fact that these farmers do not have the opportunity to invest in themselves is one of the reasons why many people become poor in developing countries: They cannot use their talents or skills because they don’t earn enough money from farming alone (or any other job).
You care about your family and friends
Fair trade coffee is better for your health, the environment and the economy. But what about the people who produce it? When you buy fair trade coffee, you know that it’s been grown in a safe place with fair labor practices.
You can rest easy knowing that no child labor or unsafe working conditions went into making your morning brew.
The coffee industry has seen an emergence of sustainable coffee brands in recent years. Unified Coffees is breaking down what makes them special and The Best Sustainable Coffee Brands to Support, as well as the benefits of fair trade coffee, in their latest article.
Latin America
Latin America is the world’s largest coffee producer, and most of its coffee is cultivated by small farmers. The average size of a farm in Latin America—where fair trade is concentrated—is less than 1 hectare (less than 2 acres).
These small farms are at risk of being forced off the land as investors buy up huge tracts to grow biofuels or cattle. Fair trade helps keep these farmers on their land so that they can continue to provide us with high-quality beans.
| Country | Population (in millions) | Largest Cities | Area (in km²) | GDP (in billions USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 213.5 | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro | 8,515,767 | 1,449.99 |
| Mexico | 128.9 | Mexico City, Guadalajara | 1,964,375 | 1,223.78 |
| Colombia | 50.9 | Bogotá, Medellín | 1,141,748 | 310.7 |
| Argentina | 45.5 | Buenos Aires, Córdoba | 2,780,400 | 445.5 |
| Peru | 32.5 | Lima, Arequipa | 496,093 | 217.5 |
An Overview of Latin America
Latin America is a region in the Western Hemisphere that encompasses countries spanning from Mexico to Argentina. According to available data, Brazil has the largest population in the region, followed by Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.
The largest cities in the region are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. Latin America is known for its diverse cultures, rich history, and beautiful landscapes. The region is also home to several notable brands, including coffee producer Juan Valdez and chocolate company CasaLuker.
Youth unemployment
You can also help youth unemployment through fair trade. Fair trade helps young people stay in school and find jobs. When a farmer gets the money from selling their product, they are able to buy more supplies for their family, which means that the children are more likely to go to school. Other benefits include:
- Fair Trade supports education by promoting literacy and gender equality
- Fair Trade increases environmental sustainability through organic farming practices
- Fair Trade provides stability for farmers, allowing them to make long-term investments
Youth Unemployment Statistics
| Region | Youth Unemployment rate (2020) |
|---|---|
| North America | 15.9% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 29.7% |
| Europe | 17.0% |
| Middle East and North Africa | 26.2% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 10.0% |
| Asia and the Pacific | 13.9% |
Youth Unemployment: A Growing Global Concern
Youth unemployment remains a pervasive issue in many regions around the world. According to recent statistics, the rates of youth unemployment are highest in regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Middle East and North Africa.
Meanwhile, regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa have comparatively lower rates. Actively addressing the issue of youth unemployment is crucial in supporting the global economy and promoting healthy communities.
Quality control
One of the most important aspects of fair trade coffee is quality control. Fair trade organizations need to meet certain standards, and they have to do so in order to remain certified as such.
This means that you can trust your fair trade beans to be better than conventional options; if they don’t meet those standards, they would be stripped of their certification and no longer considered fair trade.
Being transparent and accountable are also very important parts of being able to call yourself a “fair” organization.
Being able to prove that you’re doing everything possible for your workers (and everyone else involved in bringing the product from field or farm all the way into our homes) is key when it comes down it selling yourself as an ethical company.
How to Support Local Coffee Farmers and the Environment is an informative article from Unified Coffees that explains the importance of buying fair trade coffee and how it can help local communities. The article also provides sustainable coffee options that benefit farmers around the world.
Caffeine cravings
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it triggers your nervous system to wake up. Not only does it make you feel more alert, it can also help with memory and focus. That’s not all—it can also increase athletic performance and improve endurance.
It’s easy to see why caffeine might be addictive: when you drink or eat something containing caffeine, your body releases dopamine in the brain’s reward center.
Dopamine is responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness; when you give yourself a little hit of dopamine from caffeine each day, it becomes easier over time to crave coffee or chocolate or whatever else contains caffeine at that moment in time (this is why some people have developed an addiction problem).
The downside is that too much coffee can cause unwanted side effects like jitters and restlessness (not to mention insomnia).
Also if you’re sensitive to stress hormones then too much caffeine may lead them into overdrive which will create other problems like headaches and muscle tenses so keep that in mind as well!
Fair trade organizations are non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan
Fair trade organizations are non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan. They are not for profit, but for the people. They are not government, but for the people. And they are not partisan, but for the people.
Fair trade organizations want to serve as an example of how we can all work together in a way that benefits everyone involved in producing and distributing goods including farmers and workers in developing countries who grow and make products like coffee beans or tea leaves, as well as consumers who purchase those products at their local grocery stores here in America (or wherever else you may live).
| Organization | Type | Governmental Affiliation | Political Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade International | Non-profit, non-governmental | None | Non-partisan |
| World Fair Trade Organization | Non-profit, non-governmental | None | Non-partisan |
| Fair Trade USA | Non-profit, non-governmental | None | Non-partisan |
Fair trade organizations are typically non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan entities that work to promote fair trade practices and standards.
Organizations such as Fairtrade International, World Fair Trade Organization, and Fair Trade USA are committed to certifying fair trade products and ensuring ethical supply chains across the globe. These organizations work tirelessly to provide transparency and accountability in the fair trade system while promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Better World Café is the first 100% fair trade café in Australia
If you’re looking for a more ethical way to get your caffeine fix, Fair Trade coffee is the answer. This is because fair trade businesses offer a premium price to producers and workers, which allows them to invest in their communities.
The aim of fair trade is not just about making profits but also about improving people’s lives by giving them decent working conditions, regulating child labour and providing financial benefits for the whole community.
So when you choose fair trade products like coffee or chocolate bars, you’re supporting farmers in disadvantaged communities around the world who are paid fairly for their work.
The concept of “fair” means that everyone involved in producing something gets paid enough money so that they can live comfortably without having to go into debt or take out loans elsewhere (such as at usurious interest rates).
For example if someone has a family then they should be able to feed them without worrying about how much money they have left over each month after paying bills
If someone works hard then they should be rewarded with some kind of benefit like extra days off work rather than being expected always do overtime regardless what else needs doing elsewhere; and finally if someone needs help due say illness or disability then there should be support available from friends/family members before needing assistance provided by external agencies such as government departments or private companies offering charitable donations etcetera.
The impact of consumer choice on the environment is a global issue. According to Unified Coffees, The Power of Consumer Choice: How Your Coffee Purchases Affect the Environment is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the role they play in protecting the planet. The article highlights the benefits of fair trade coffee, as well as ways to make an informed choice when purchasing coffee.
Conclusion
We are proud to be Australia’s first 100% fair trade café. We hope this article has given you a better understanding about the benefits of fair trade coffee, and why it is so important that we all do our part in supporting it.
Further Reading
For more information on Fair Trade coffee, check out these additional resources:
Wake Up: Six Reasons to Choose Fairtrade Coffee: This article by Fairtrade.net explains the impact of fair trade coffee on communities and the environment, providing six reasons why consumers should choose fair trade coffee over other options.
Why Choose Fair Trade Coffee by Larry’s Coffee: This blog post provides an overview of fair trade coffee and its benefits, including information about how fair trade coffee is sourced and how it contributes to sustainable farming practices.
Fair Trade Coffee: What It Is and Why It Matters by Grounds for Change: This informative post answers common questions about fair trade coffee and its impact on farmers, the environment, and the economy.
FAQs
What is Fair Trade coffee?
Fair Trade coffee is coffee that is produced and traded according to specific standards that aim to support small-scale farmers and reduce poverty and inequality.
How is Fair Trade coffee sourced?
Fair Trade coffee is sourced through a transparent supply chain that ensures farmers receive fair prices for their crop and working conditions meet ethical standards. Importer organizations work with cooperatives and farmers directly to bring Fair Trade coffee to the market.
How does Fair Trade coffee benefit farmers and their communities?
Fair Trade coffee guarantees farmers a stable income above the market price, affords them the opportunity to invest in their farms and communities, and supports sustainable farming practices.
Is all Fair Trade coffee organic?
No, not all Fair Trade coffee is organic, but many Fair Trade-certified coffees are also certified organic. The Fair Trade certification ensures that coffee is produced sustainably, regardless of whether it is also certified organic.
Is Fair Trade coffee more expensive?
Fair Trade coffee may be more expensive than non-certified coffee due to the higher standard of living wages paid to farmers. However, the long-term benefits that Fair Trade provides to farmers and their communities make the price difference worthwhile for many consumers.
Hi, I’m Hellen James, founder of Unified Coffees. I created the platform to fill the gap in coffee blogging by providing tips on brewing coffee, rather than just focusing on beans and grinders.
