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What is Organic, Fair Trade Coffee?
Organic coffee is coffee grown in such a way as to ensure a sustainable agricultural system promoting natural processes and growth, rather than introducing chemical pesticides, herbicides and
synthetic fertilizers.
"Fair Trade" coffee means green coffee beans are acquired via a socially-and environmentally-committed not-for-profit organization, which pays the growers a guaranteed minimum amount per
pound, no matter what the commodity price of coffee may be.
Traditionally, coffee has been traded as a commodity (like oil, etc) with many middlemen-- exporters, brokers, traders etc-- reducing the share of revenue the farmer received. Those who worked
the hardest to produce the best quality coffee beans for roasting often suffered the greatest inequities.
"Fair Trade", by paying a guaranteed minimum price per pound directly to the farmers, provides security and stability they would otherwise not have. This additional revenue enables
small, family farmers to establish cooperatives which facilitate education, health care, environmental stewardship etc.
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