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What Standards Govern Fair Trade Coffee?
Coffee is often produced in developing countries, so there are many oppositions that farmers can come up against. Oftentimes, coffee is grown on land that is owned by small farmers, and they will market their goods through local co-ops. That is precisely why it is so important for them to be guaranteed a fair price for all of their products. It is important that farmers and employees receive fair wages so that they can be guaranteed to work in safe conditions that are free from harassment. There are standards that need to be taken in account for coffee to be marketed as Fair Trade. One of which is that the small farmers will ensure standards and structures for everyone who is involved in the Fair Trade organization. There are also fair trade standards for plantations, which include guaranteeing workers fair wages, as well as the opportunity to be part of a union. This also requires that safety and health regulations are in place and that measures are taken to protect the environment. Within these settings, there should be no use of forced or child labor. At the very minimum, for coffee to be labeled as Fair Trade certified, they do have to meet a few requirements. It is important for the farmers to be paid enough to cover their cost of living and cost of production. It is also important for the farmers to be paid enough money to be able to invest in their own developments. Farmers also are given the opportunity to sign contracts for long-term plans so that they are able to sustain their production. What this will mean to you is that when you are purchasing coffee that is labeled as Fair Trade, you can feel safe in knowing that your coffee product is guaranteed to be quality. When the farmer is protected and guaranteed a minimum wage, he will also be able to invest some of that money back into his coffee harvest, creating a better product for the consumer. On top of that, it is also important to look for coffee that is labeled as Organic or Shade Grown. These are two other methods that encourage natural coffee production to create a safer product for the customer. When coffee is certified as USDA organic, that will also mean that it was grown without the use of pesticides. This certification also does ensure that the coffee farmers use crop rotation so that more nutrients are left in the soil to protect the environment. When coffee is Shade Grown, that means that the coffee trees are grown under shade trees, so it provides a natural habitat for birds, also giving the opportunity for them to work as natural pest control. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Chuggin McCoffee is a coffee fanatic that has spent the entirety of his career cultivating and studying all of the best uses and brewing styles for optimal coffee and espresso flavor. His specialty site for all coffee needs, supplies, and Commercial Coffee Makers can be found at www.thecoffeebump.com. |
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