Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:23 PM

Zalatix (8,994 posts)

It's gotten effing cold here, so it's coffee time for me and the missus. Time for Fair Trade?

I've been studying the Fair Trade movement for a while and it's time to give them the better of the doubt and give it a try. It's REALLY cold today so we went out and got some coffee. We can't really figure out where our coffee is REALLY coming from so we went with a fair trade label. In case anyone wants details, we got Seattle's Best Fair Trade Cert to go with Alter Eco Dark Quinoa chocolate, which was also certified Fair Trade.

I just can't tell if "American made" coffee was the result of abused, underpaid farm workers, and that's assuming "from the United States" coffee even exists. I can reasonably expect that Fair Trade will be slavery-free and exploitation-free.

Is Fair Trade in general the right choice here? A lot of it is imported but on the flip side it appears that labor exploitation and child exploitation are filtered out by Fair Trade certification. It looks like it balances out as far as I'm concerned. Are there any scandals that inexperienced folks should beware of?

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7 replies	Author	Time	Post
It's gotten effing cold here, so it's coffee time for me and the missus. Time for Fair Trade? (Original post)	Zalatix	Oct 2012	OP
They grow coffee in Hawaii, but I think that's about it.	Warpy	Oct 2012	#1
Omaha Steve posts occasionally about USA coffee.	Brickbat	Oct 2012	#2
Hmmmm, how are their workers treated?	Zalatix	Oct 2012	#3
I probably would have chosen a different brand given that Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks...	Luminous Animal	Oct 2012	#4
What I don't understand if something is made in america why does it cost us more to purchase?	southernyankeebelle	Oct 2012	#5
Most imported goods are cheaper because labor is cheaper overseas.	Zalatix	Oct 2012	#6
It is really sad to see those workers getting a bad deal. But we are also getting a bad deal.	southernyankeebelle	Oct 2012	#7

Response to Zalatix (Original post)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:31 PM

Warpy (108,965 posts)

1. They grow coffee in Hawaii, but I think that's about it.

I eat fair trade chocolate. It's good.

While you might not get the same subspecies with fair trade coffee, you at least know Juan Valdez is getting paid enough for his labor to feed his kids.

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Response to Zalatix (Original post)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:33 PM

Brickbat (19,339 posts)

2. Omaha Steve posts occasionally about USA coffee.

I think.

http://www.usacoffeecompany.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=30

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Response to Brickbat (Reply #2)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:38 PM

Zalatix (8,994 posts)

3. Hmmmm, how are their workers treated?

If Omaha Steve mentioned it, then they probably do right by their laborers.

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Response to Zalatix (Original post)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:41 PM

Luminous Animal (27,310 posts)

4. I probably would have chosen a different brand given that Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks...

but, I believe purchasing fair trade coffee is a good thing. The coop that I shop at has a couple of brands that deal solely in fair trade products.

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Response to Zalatix (Original post)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 05:48 PM

southernyankeebelle (11,304 posts)

5. What I don't understand if something is made in america why does it cost us more to purchase?

I want to buy in america but sometimes it is cheaper buy at Target, WalMart (places like that). Work poor just can't afford to buy american. The only thing I will buy american now is cars. I use to buy foreign cars but I felt I needed to support our cars made in america first. But until they raise my husband's wages there are some things I just can't afford to buy.

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Response to southernyankeebelle (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 06:15 PM

Zalatix (8,994 posts)

6. Most imported goods are cheaper because labor is cheaper overseas.

It's all about beating American workers down to accepting Chinese-level wages and working conditions.

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Response to Zalatix (Reply #6)

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 06:23 PM

southernyankeebelle (11,304 posts)

7. It is really sad to see those workers getting a bad deal. But we are also getting a bad deal.

Until the employees of this country state up for each other well I don't see a change.

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