|
|
"Fair Trade", what does that mean?  Basically, Fair Trade is an international trading partnership that gives disadvantaged producers a chance to compete equitably. How? By providing better trading conditions, raising public awareness, and campaigning. In order to counter what often happens in conventional international trade practices, Fair Trade promotes:
• A fair price agreed to in advance by both sides, which covers true production costs while giving producers a profit. World market prices often cover only part of production costs, the rest being covered by subsidies, tariffs, etc.
• Humane working conditions. That means no child labor or sweatshops, equal pay and opportunity for equal work by women and minorities, and a safe workplace.
• Fair producer access to markets, often through more direct links to consumers.
• Long-term relationships based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, providing producers with stability and security.
• More sustainable agricultural practices, where applicable; Fair Trade also applies to products other than food.
• Educating consumers about the entire concept, which includes identifying fair trade products through independent certification (as I saw on the café counter).
Excerpt from Dr. David Fisher's article in The Iowa Source.
|
Shade Grown, what does that mean?: Until about 30 years ago, all coffee was “shade grown” because it’s naturally a shade loving plant. Then full-sun hybrids were developed with higher yields, which allowed the development of massive agribusiness plantations. But critics say it came at a price, as these plantations greatly reduced biodiversity, increased soil erosion and deadly mudslides, and polluted the environment with increased chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
By contrast, shade grown coffee shrubs help preserve biodiversity (as do the shade trees over them). In addition, they live twice as long and the shade trees over them produce natural mulch that results in less need for replanting and chemicals. Some say that the flavor of shade grown coffee is less bitter because the shrubs mature more slowly and produce fewer coffee berries. The result: flavor that’s more concentrated and mellow. |
Customer testimonials: A Community: "I love "the Mine". I love what they stand for with Fair Trade. I love the baristas, the customers, the art, the music. It is everything a coffee shop should be. It is a community!" - Dave |
|