Coffee for a Cause: Facts about Fair Trade Coffee

Written by Uptown Liz Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

1.)    Americans consume one fifth of the world’s coffee supply, making the US the world’s largest consumer.

2.)    The majority of the coffee consumed in the US is imported from South America, Asia, and Africa.  The conditions and wages in these areas are often very undesirable for coffee growers. In fact, many farmers receive less money per pound for coffee than it costs them to produce it.

3.)    Fair Trade Organizations focus on improving the conditions and wages of farmers through eliminating the middlemen.  This allows more of the consumers’ money to go to the producer.

4.)    Fair Trade Coffee means that the coffee you drink was grown, processed and purchased under strict regulations that are fair to the producer, the consumer and the environment.

5.)     Many large coffee retailers have also taken note of this new trend in coffee and carry Fair Trade Coffees in their stores. Find out where you can find Fair Trade Coffee near you!

6.)    Next time you buy coffee, make the purchase that benefits so many people and makes a difference!