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"Where social responsibility meets great coffee" We offer: - Free WiFi Always
- Fair Trade
- Local Musicians and Talent
 "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.
www.iowasource.com
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