There's been a lot of discussion lately over the authenticity of a roaster's commitments to fair trade when only some of their product is available as fair trade. Catholic Relief Services keeps a decent list of the 100% fair trade enterprises that it works with. I'll admit being puzzled as to why CRS is not a part of the Equal Exchange Interfaith Coffee Program but this is a fairly comprehensive list of the 100% fair traders in the U.S.
I'll say more another time about trends and arguments in the fair trade coffee certification debate as certain roasters either defect from or simply opt out of the Transfair system by setting up their own, often termed "direct trade," certification standard (i.e. Starbucks, Intelligentsia, Just Coffee). These changes represent a growing split in the fair trade coffee movement.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Easy Ways to Get Fair Trade Coffee at the Office
As interest in fair trade has grown--mainly through attention to fair trade coffee--consumers are looking for and demanding more convenient ways to purchase fair trade.
Here are some ways that I know of that you can order pre-measured 12-cup brew packages for the office:
From the Equal Exchange Interfaith Coffee Program (Equal Exchange is one of those outstanding fair trade pioneers and a 100% fair trade business). Try their pillow pack coffees.
My dad told me about a local roaster in his area that provides similarly prepared packets of a fair trade Guatemalan coffee. The only drawback with this company is that they also throw in industrial size coffee filters which were too big for my office coffee maker. We started cutting the filters down to size, but eventually it sort of cancelled out the added convenience of having the ready-made pouches for making a quick pot in the a.m. They declined to stop sending the filters since this is the way the boxes are prepared for most of their clients. Check out Ferris Coffee & Nut based in Grand Rapids, MI. Scroll down to their fair trade coffees. When you order, make a request for the 12-cup coffee packets.
Of course, convenience can often mean more waste. And in this case, it probably does, because of the additional packaging required for making individual pouches. Still, if the added convenience provides a way for you to convince folks in your office to make the shift to supporting fair trade--give it a try. After all, let's face it, not everyone knows how to make a good pot of coffee.
Later on, once the commitment to fair trade has taken hold in your office find a local roaster and begin enjoying the ritual of scooping out the appropriate amount to be brewed (1 to 2 teaspoons for every six ounces of water) from a pound of their fair trade coffee.
Here are some ways that I know of that you can order pre-measured 12-cup brew packages for the office:
From the Equal Exchange Interfaith Coffee Program (Equal Exchange is one of those outstanding fair trade pioneers and a 100% fair trade business). Try their pillow pack coffees.
My dad told me about a local roaster in his area that provides similarly prepared packets of a fair trade Guatemalan coffee. The only drawback with this company is that they also throw in industrial size coffee filters which were too big for my office coffee maker. We started cutting the filters down to size, but eventually it sort of cancelled out the added convenience of having the ready-made pouches for making a quick pot in the a.m. They declined to stop sending the filters since this is the way the boxes are prepared for most of their clients. Check out Ferris Coffee & Nut based in Grand Rapids, MI. Scroll down to their fair trade coffees. When you order, make a request for the 12-cup coffee packets.
Of course, convenience can often mean more waste. And in this case, it probably does, because of the additional packaging required for making individual pouches. Still, if the added convenience provides a way for you to convince folks in your office to make the shift to supporting fair trade--give it a try. After all, let's face it, not everyone knows how to make a good pot of coffee.
Later on, once the commitment to fair trade has taken hold in your office find a local roaster and begin enjoying the ritual of scooping out the appropriate amount to be brewed (1 to 2 teaspoons for every six ounces of water) from a pound of their fair trade coffee.
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