FAIR TRADE
I was recently at Second Cup (yes, the generally accepted lower quality Canadian long lost step sister of the great Starbucks but went to it because it's close and I'm lazy) with no real purpose other than buying a pound of coffee. If you know me, you know that I have a pretty regimented routine in the morning and coffee is an integral part of that process. Just like any addict, I have very particular tastes that need to be satisfied and considering I haven't been to a Second Cup in what is likely 5 years, I had no idea what kind of coffee I was supposed to order. I asked the girls for something medium-dark with sort of a chocolatey finish and after much deliberation, they came to the conclusion that I would like CUZCO, a Medium roast Costa Rican bean which, when I got it home was EXACTLY what I wanted. Why they would call a bean from Costa Rica Cuzco, a town in the Peruvian Andes is beyond me but I got over it pretty quickly and now is besides the point.
The big thing, however, that caught my eye (not on the first half pound that I bought but rather on the second full pound!) is the Certified Organic Fair Trade factor. (Look for the label!!)
Now, I've never really been all that into hippie things like fair trade or organic and especially not veganism (which goes hand in hand with both but is not the subject of tonight's post) so I decided to read into it a little...like a good curious little boy. I mean, I knew the premise or the facts and why it exists and for those who don't know, allow me to explain.
Historically, Americans (Canadians included) have been the by far the number one consumers of international coffee and make up nearly a fifth of the entire worlds consumption. Since coffee harvesting is so labour intensive, small player farmers producing coffee for export are able to cover basic supply costs but are left to make up for cost of harvest, manufacturing and shipping and many are literally losing money by producing their crops. (There are other contributing factors, but let's not worry about them for now.) Fair Trade coffee, on the other hand, guarantees farmers minimum prices for their harvest and retail buyers will often purchase directly from the farmers in order to minimize costs and maximize farmer profits. Of course, there is a growers' co-op to oversee and protect the farmers as well.
So let me get this straight à la FAQ.
Q: So I get the same quality coffee for the same low price?
A: Not true. Fair trade coffee often ends up costing you, the end consumer, more money but allows the international coffee community to grow and improve their growing practices and remain sustainable and profitable so we Americans can continue to be addicted to coffee-based caffeine.
Q: People actually like paying more for things?
A: When it's for the good of humanity sometimes people don't mind.
Q: So if I pay marginally more money for dramatically better coffee that doesn't treat emerging Third World Countries like coffee producing sweat shops, how am I supposed to feel good about it? In the end I still have less money...
A: Feeling good is a matter of opinion. Just keep a positive attitude, maybe pick up a second job and you'll be buying fair trade for the rest of your life.
Q: Is fair trade coffee right for me?
A: Personally I don't like the taste of Folgers or Nabob anyway. Does that answer the question?
Q: If Starbucks thinks this is such a great thing to do, why don't they buy and sell exclusively fair trade, why do they still hate some farmers?
A: Baby steps, I guess. Besides, some people (even farmers) just aren't that likeable.
Q: Do I have to stop eating meat, stop washing and cutting my hair, and buy a VW van if I start buying fair trade coffee?
A: Of course not. All of those things are unhealthy and owning a VW can become costly and parts are difficult to find in times of repair.
Since having bought my Cuzco label Second Cup coffee, I have recommended Second Cup to many a person. The girls were helpful and I found a coffee that exactly met what I wanted going in. Will I go to that location again to purchase my coffee? Yes. Have I already? Yes. Do I like the coffee only because it's fair trade coffee? No.
So what's the moral of the story? It's not that horrible to drink fair trade coffee. Coffee chains look good. My wallet barely notices. Farmers are happy. My taste buds are happy. So is it "fair"? No. It's FAIR TRADE!!
Guerrilla Coffee Fare
