FTO coffees

Fair Trade

Did you know that each bag of Certified Fair Trade coffee that you buys helps coffee growing communities in developing countries.

Buying Fair Trade Certified coffees means that you are helping to build schools and hospitals in these regions. Every bag of Fair Trade Certified coffee contributes and every little bit helps.

Make sure you see the fair Trade logo so that you can be sure it is certified.

Pascal Lamy, the Secretary General of the World Trade Organization, once stated that "trade helps to create a better standard of living for all countries - developing and developed alike. Because only with higher living standards can we contribute to the eradication of poverty, better health care and education, a cleaner environment and a better, more stable and peaceful world." Lamy was speaking of free trade, but I believe that this statement is far truer when refering to Fair Trade.

Fair trade happens when a producer or farmer is paid a fair amount for the product that they produce. It is that simple. It is actually irrelevent where in the world that farmer/producer lives, whether it is across the street or around the world. However, in developing countries, fair trade amy mean the difference between life and starvation.

According to the World Bank, more than 20 million families grow coffee in developing countries; for many it is their only source of income, making coffee a foundation of rural development. In some developing countries, farmers sometimes amke as little as $30 US dollars a year because they have no access to international markets, and are often at the mercy of monopolies or as they are called in central America "coyotes". These coyotes force farmers to sell them their product at extremely low prices, so low that they are often not even able to pay for the crop let alone any basic living costs such as food or medicines. This forces the farmer to take out loans from these same coyotes just to survive. It is a spiraling cycle of debt which can lead to the virtual enslavement of these farmers.

The Fair Trade movement was created in the 1960's to help end the cycle of debt and poverty and it supports the concept of Trade NOT Aid. Holding to the principle that trade, fair trade is better and further reaching than charity or aid which may or may not reach the people it is meant to help. Fair trade is based on the principles of economic and social justice, focusing on improving the welfare of the farmer/producer and empowering the individual farmers and communities. Fair Trade initiatives work to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their products and labour. It encourages the farmers to adopt sustainable environmental practices, it helps to improve social services in local communities and it invests in the local economic infrastructure. Fair Trade also improves market access for farmers, strengthens producer organizations and provides continuity in trading relationships.

There are standards to ensure that every link in the Fair Trade chain meets rigorious criteria for social and environmental accountability. They cover everything from occupational health and safety guidelines for field workers, to community development projects and the provision of credit to cash-strapped farmers. In Canada this organization is called TransFair Canada.

Here in Canada, we coffee devotees pay a slight premium for our favorite Fair Trade pick me up; but isn't it worth it to change the world??

Fair Trade & Organic Certified Coffees

Guatemalan

(Medium Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A medium to full-bodied coffee, perfectly balanced with good acidity and complex, spicy undertones.

Ethiopian "Sidamo"

(Medium Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

Medium-bodied, with a smooth, distinct, earthy flavour and medium acidity.

Colombian

(Medium Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A medium-bodied coffee well-balanced with a good flavour and low acidity.

Colombian Dark

(Dark Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A deep, smooth and full-bodied coffee with medium acidity and a mildly smoky finish.

Sumatran

(Dark Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A full-bodied, rich and smooth coffee with low acidity and smoky/spicy undertones.

French Roast

(Extremely Dark Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A dark, full-bodied coffee characterized by its sharp, smoky nature.

Medium Roast Decaf

(Medium Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

Swiss Water Processed. A medium-bodied coffee with medium acidity and a clean finish.

French Roast Decaf

(Medium Roast) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

Swiss Water Processed. A dark, full-bodied coffee with a low acidity and a deep, smoky finish. So good you won't believe it's decaf!

Fair Trade & Organic Blends

Our blends are unique and are created to maximize the flavours naturally inherent in the beans.

Let us know what you like and we'll create you your own special blend with its own private label just for you and yours!

Sunrise Blend

(Medium Blend) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

Medium- bodied, rich and smooth, with medium acidity and a bold finish.

Southern Blend

(Medium Blend) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

A full-bodied blend of roasts with gentle acidity and a smooth finish.

Espresso

(Dark, Extra Dark or Extreme Blend) 1lb (16oz.) $14.99 1/2lb (8oz.) $ 7.99

Full-bodied, rich and bold, this espresso is blended with care to create the best possible cup with an excellent crèma.

Have it how you like it! Whole bean, Drip, French Press, Perk or Espresso grind

Call or email us for information on wholesale pricing.