Deborah - thanks for the education on Fair Trade Coffee! I love coffee and tend to drink way too much! Maybe if I had a good, sustainable cup like Fair Trade I would be satisfied with less! I will have to look for it and let you know if I can find it in my area! Good post!

Buying Fair Trade is so important.  Trader Joe's carries a pretty big selection and some of those are organic.  Organic is big for me because of what the chemicals do to the workers and the soil. 

I love my coffee!  Yours sounds good!

Deborah, I know that you mentioned the Cafe but I didn't realized you owned it...How terrific that is!  You must love it, I know I would.  I can imagine the beautiful artwork you have around.  If you have any pictures to share please do another post and tell us more :)

Hi Mary - I believe Fair Trade coffees are available practically everywhere in bulk to the consumer, but most cafe's do not use it, as they want of course, highest possible profit. The cost is only marginally more and you have the assurance of doing the right thing!

Coffee is actually good for you, as long as your body handles it well ;)

Deborah, fellow restauranteur, I have heard of fair trade coffee, but haven't found it anywhere around here.  I once had a vegetarian cafe in NE.  I loved it!

It is good that fair trade coffee is more and more available.  It is great that you have made our AR members more aware.  However, I find that at some of the "coffee houses" they have no clue if the coffee is fair trade.

Elaine - so glad to see you're on board with organic and Fair Trade! Great goin girl!

Carole please note I am speaking in past tense about my cafe. I do have beautiful pictures and have tried to upload here to post, but the system for whatever reason unlogs everytime. argghh...

I did love my cafe and yes there was beautiful art in it.

;) have a great weekend!

Deborah,

I never knew that about Fair Trade Coffee.  I always though Juan Valdez picked all of the coffee beans!  Too bad your shop is in BC and I'm in Boston.... I'd love to visit it.

Good luck and thanks for the education.

Terry - a fellow restauranteur? Fair Trade coffee is everywhere - I think. It is here, mind you this is the North West! Try health stores, organic grocery stores, There are many brands. Just look for the Fair Trade logo (above) on the packaging.

It's true Joan that coffee houses don't have a clue! The chains for sure know OF Fair Trade, but all it obviously means to them is coffee that costs more. While some independent owners may be aware, they mostly avoid it for the same reason.

If the staff don't know, they haven't been trained - and it isn't FT.

Good for you for your awareness! 

Thanks Martin - Juan Valdez is nothing more than propaganda put out by the corporate 'BIG COFFEE'. It has worked to lead consumers to believe in something that doesn't exist - fair pay, treatment and lifestyle of farmers. Conditions began in slave labor and continue in near slavery conditions in coffee growing regions around the world.

I will be writing more on big coffee.

My cafe was a lovely place - please note I speak of it in past tense.

Deborah - No longer a coffee drinker but your point is well taken. I am sure it could be applied to many things we purchase that are grown or made outside of North America.

Hi Kathy - unfortunately we often don't think beyond the price of something. Behind low cost is far too often the story of poverty and suffering. I happily pay more for the benefit of the coffee growers and my peace of mind.

Thanks!

Yes!  Fair Trade--won't buy anything but, and I do love my coffee!  I wanted to open a coffee shop myself--actually, I got hooked on the wicked stuff while working in a mall shop...~sigh~ those were the days...

This is why I drink H2O from a well not a bottle :0) You are brave to share!

Coffee is for closers (Alec Baldwin).  I love Maxwell House, is that Fair Trade, I never heard of the Fair Trade Logo.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

For those of us who did not yet think... Thanks

that is why we are here:0)

Great for you Loretta! and imagine it is very good for you too - high anti-oxidant quality. I loved my shop while I had it -  it was a lovely little place. I would do it again under the right circumstances.

Brave Deborah B? Let me know what you mean so I can follow. Thanks for stopping in - welcome to Active Rain!

Thanks Timothy for stopping in. Maxwell House and all the big coffee companies are 'BIG COFFEE' and all that represents. They grow with chemicals on land stripped from natural forests and pay next to nothing for practically slave labor.

They are not Fair Trade.

I kindly ask you to consider the state of the earth and humanity, which is why I ask.....

'What's In your Coffee Cup?'

VERY INTERESTING Post - Never knew this and it's good to know!  I am spoiled by the WHOLE FOODS market near my house.  This is the only coffee I can stand to drink anymore, except for DUNKIN DONUTS brand - go figure - I love it. 

Glad you're onto Fair Trade coffee Debbie! Whole Foods is a great way to shop - healthy sustainable options. But Dunkin Donuts is a far cry from there - hahaha!!!?

Thanks for bringing this up Deborah.  I have, since it first became available, been drinking Organic, Shade Grown, Fair Trade coffee.  Price is never an object when I make a purchase.  Price is only a small part of the cost of things we use.  That's also why I don't buy in large chain stores, keeping it local.  I have never darkened the door of a WalMart.  If we really think about where our goods come from we can start to help make this world better, for all of its citizens.  Thanks again for bringing this up!

Deborah, I'll check healthfood stores.  Remember though, you are in Canada, and Canada is more progressive than we are )-:

You would be in loop David! I like going to that Co-op for coffee when I go to Bellingham.

Certainly better the cost of the coffee, than the cost of people's lives and well-being and the earth!

Deborah  As usual, you have given us all something valuable to think about.  I LOVE my morning coffee.  Never thought about - never knew about - Fair Trade Coffee.   I am nearly out this morning and have that on my list this morning among a few other items I need at the market..... Now I will be looking for fair trade.   Thanks for the education.    You never cease to amaze me girl!

Haha! Now that's just funny Terry! Up here in the land of 'igloos', we've always considered you guys south of us more progressive. David above, is in nearby Bellingham, USA, which I've visited many times and always go for FT coffee there - however this is the Northwest , 'land of coffee' , so maybe that's why.

Deborah

I just returned from the market.... I could not find one package of coffee, organic or otherwise with that Fair Trade Lable on it.... they sure don't make this easy........   What say you?

Deborah - David brought up shade grown in his comment.  I would love to see you expand on that in your next post about "big coffee."

Hi Linda - you're right on it! Thanks for the kind comments.

Fair Trade coffee is all over here. Just to try to help - Fair Trade isn't a brand you're looking for - there are many brands. Look for the logo. You may not find them at the regular market. Try health stores, organic markets, 'Choices' or 'Whole Foods' markets.

As Elaine and David point out, go the distance and get if possible, shade grown organic.    

Thanks Elaine - my plan exactly! It's in the works - big coffee, farming practices, etc. with some editting required - appreciate your conscientious approach!

Hi Deborah, I won't steal your thunder about shade grown.  I just want to say that the way one finds out about these things is: first you have to care.  Next you have to do research, and finally, if no one does it locally, think about doing it yourself.  I happen to live in a relatively progressive area with a very strong Food Co:Op, another very good natural foods store, some independent coffee roasters who only do Fair Trade and shade grown coffees.  The local co:op stocks about two dozen different brands of Fair Trade coffee.  There is also a retail store that sells only Fair Traded items from around the world (not just coffee).  Googl fair trade and you can find out more.  As a historic note, local Food Co:Ops started out as food buying clubs back in the late 60s.  People were realizing that what they were getting at the super market wasn't necessarily the healthiest for people or the planet so they started banding together to make purchases from the few natural foods distributers that existed back then.  As the orders got larger, it made sense to do a customer owned retail outlet.  The rest, as they say, is history.  If you want change to happen, you have to do it yourself in your own life!

Deborah, Just to let you know that I flagged your post as excetional and worthy of being featured.  I hope others do the same.

Deborah   it was the logo I was looking for and NOT ONE could I find!!   How shameful is that?    I will start keeping an eye out for it in the health food stores and other speciality shops..... once I find it, I will change my source of coffee..... in the meantime, I may just drink more tea!

Your area is very progressive David - I have noted that on my travels there and around Mt Vernon, where they have a terrific Co-op also.

We have 'A Thousand Villages' here which features all kinds of fairly traded goods. Is the one there the same? 

When I had my cafe, I found the educational process demanding, with few people even caring to know the significance of fairly traded goods. Certainly there are supporters, but I notice here at the largest health grocery, that their fair trade coffees don't sell well until they put them on sale! For many people it's all about price!!!!!!!!!!! arghhh so frustrating.

My coffee I sold at 14.99 a bag. People would go around the corner or to Safeway to get a cheaper deal - and not FT. So much is about price. Pathetic.

Great for you Linda - what a gal! - I'm sure you will find it. Phone around. We need to make retailers aware of what we want - shameful yes indeed. We need to be aware and proactive. David has been quite a proactive conscious and conscientious environmentalist and social activist - you see by his comments -commendable!

Deborah  ~  I try to buy American wherever possible.   I never thought about the coffee.... awareness is EVERYTHING...... who would have thought about coffee?   New England coffee claims to be made here... but what the hell does that mean?   They don't have the trade logo.    I am more conscious more than ever about recycling paper... I do not live in a town where it is mandatory, yet, I ferret out every piece of paper that is not personal..... my husband is beginning to think I am nuts when I pluck a piece of paper from the trash for the recycling bin!   It's a small step, yet so very important.....

Hi Linda - you can still buy from American roasters who use FT organic, shade grown beans. There is an FT organization in Maine and it appears that your governor is behind it on an official level, if I am correct about that.

Coffee isn't made here or there - just something people haven't thought about, like vegetables come from the store, all nice and clean. pffttt - they come from the dirt! ...with bugs - if you're lucky!

Coffee is imported from tropical regions, blended and roasted in all other parts.

Great for you re-using! 

David ! - I truly appreciate your interaction and thanks for flagging the post. This is a very serious matter as you know that goes far beyond what most realize.

Cheers!  

Deborah,

I have ripped down my centerfold picture of Mr. Valdez and burned it!!!  Thanks for setting me straight. 

I buy most of my coffee at the grocery store.... do you know of any particular coffees that I should buy?  I will keep my eye open for the logo.

Why is the cafe in past tense?

Martin - I LUV YA!!!! I've just released an expose' on Juan Valdez, the second in the series http://activerain.com/blogsview/303905/Juan-Valdez-BIG-COFFEE

some groceries do carry FT - some have 'health' sections where you may find it - ask them and keep asking - often they are interested in what you want if you speak to the right people. Also you may find FT at specialty shops - health stores, organic, Choices, Whole Foods

You are near some large centers I think there should be resources. 

Terry - I am sorry I just reread your comment and realized that I stopped short at your question re: FT coffee and skimmed the rest. ;0 ....

I'd love to hear more of your cafe' in Nebraska? is NE? I LOVED my cafe as well!

Thank you for providing so much information on what goes on in the coffee industry. I rarely drink coffee but I will be mindful when I do.

Thanks Dionne - for your willingness to be aware of your usage - it is important to be aware of all we consume - where it comes from and the practices used.

Support humanity and the earth - buy Fair Trade products. 

I had heard of Fair Trade Coffee  but didn't realize the difference. Thanks for the education. Your cafe sounds wondeful....wish I could stop in and have a cup of joe.

Hi Bonnie - the cafe is now past tense, and it was a wonderful place. There are a lot of facts very significant to the coffee trade that many aren't aware of, which is why I feel compelled to to create awareness.

Fair trade and shade grown coffee is the only way to go.  The cost might be a little bit more, but it is worth every cent.

Hi Brenda - so great to hear that you're onto Fairly Traded shade grown coffee - shade grown organic is what I buy - and more than worth it as you note.

Thanks so much for your awareness!