The Just Us! Fair Trade Cafe Barrington St. Halifax NS easily became my favorite cafe the summer of /08. Once discovering it, I went out of my way for coffee. For reason of Fair Trade, yes - these folks really take it seriously and go all the way with organic FT chocolate, tea and sugar as well as coffee. 

The staff here were terrific young people, always friendly and personable, with great service, making me feel right at home. It was a delight to come in mornings to cheerful welcoming attitudes. Believe me - this doesn't happen everywhere! 

In case you are unaware, the coffee industry started with slave labour, and continues in very similar circumstances. Coffee is also the second largest (legal) commodity in the world, next to crude.

Some cafe owners take seriously the understanding and importance of Fair Trade, buying only from  fairly traded cooperatives. Hence the Canadian and US regulating body, called 'Trans Fair'. If the coffee doesn't carry this logo, the origin is questionable.

The dollar. This is what it comes down to for most cafe operation, including and especially BIG COFFEE. Many choose to completely ignore the needs of others in this world. Some pay token respect, featuring one coffee a month (this is the case of the biggest chain we know of), one coffee every day or two, or none at all. I have sadly heard people say about the issue, "I don't want to know!"   

Then there are those like 'Just US!' who go the distance, following their conscience, paying more for their coffee than the others. How much more? Varies. But consider That cooperatives pay about 1.30 per pound of coffee. I've seen it reported on the Documentary, 'Black Coffee', that the 'BIG GREEN MONSTER' pays around .30 for the finest Ethiopian beans, while the people starve.  

There is very good reason to support Fair Trade Coffee, as well as other products. Ten Thousand Villages sells fair Trade products.

 Just US! Fair Trade Cafe Locations

'Black Coffee'

Ten Thousand Villages