You knew it was coming — I need a way to organize these :P This post’ll be updated as I get more Top 3 info from coffee companies :)
In this series, US coffee companies share what they think the top 3 things that needed to be changed about fair trade certification are.
Geoff of Intelligentsia. Intelligentsia’s a company that’s focused on coffee quality first and foremost, but has also made an effort to make sure it’s employing fair trade practices. Intelligentsia left the TransFair USA roster earlier this year.
Tim of Sacred Grounds. Sacred Grounds is a lil coffee roaster in Arcata, Calif. While SG doesn’t have the travel budget that Intelligentsia does, SG’s a company committed to supporting fair trade and enviro-friendly practices as much as it possibly can at a small-roaster level. SG is currently a fair trade licenced roster selling fair trade certified coffee.
Dean of Dean’s Beans. Dean of Dean’s Beans, a 100% organic and fair trade coffee roaster, is considered one of the movers and shakers that helped pioneer the fair trade movement. But Dean’s Beans left the TransFair USA roster a few years ago, due to unresolved issues with the way TFUSA was doing certification in the US.
Jim of Cafe Humana. Jim’s a relative newbie — Cafe Humana’s been in biz just 2 years — promoting organic, fair trade, and shade grown coffee, with a focus on Costa Rica. Cafe Humana’s currently a fair trade licenced roaster seilling fair trade certified coffee.
Larry of Larry’s Beans. Larry’s Beans, like Dean’s Beans, is part of Cooperative Coffees — a group of fair trade roasters in the US and Canada that’ve established fair trade relationships with 9 coffee co-ops. This 100% organic and fair trade coffee roaster left the TransFair USA roster a few years ago, due to unresolved issues with the way TFUSA was doing certification in the US.
I love this post, Siel, thanks :-) I think it’s very useful. One question from me, is there any chance for you to ‘investigate’ the non-coffee lisencing orgs, like IFAT, International Federation for Alternative Trade? Are they more ‘efficient, transparent, and effective’ than TransUSA, the same or worse? I know…I know…you’re the woman! ;-) Just curious…Thanks again, Siel, for all the wonderful info. Good luck some more…
Comment by Maya — September 26, 2006 @ 2:21 am
IFAT isn’t a certification agency or program. it’s a trade federation.
Comment by Anonymous — September 26, 2006 @ 1:06 pm
Hey Maya — I think this post’ll help you out with the info re: IFAT and others you’re looking for :) I’ll also add it to the “all about fair trade” post linked to in the sidebar, since I think a lotta people are confused by the labels :)
Comment by Siel — September 26, 2006 @ 3:05 pm
Thanks Anon and Siel…I got that part, that IFAT isn’t a certification agency or org., but what does it do really as a trade federation? Does it randomly audit those fair trade organisations that are members of IFAT?
Cause for sure, I know ONE out of a couple of members of IFAT in Indonesia I was trying to work together with that I’m suspicious of for not selling all Indonesian products (not to mention if they’re really doing fair trade practices). That is why I’m so curious about IFAT in general…
Any info would be great, thanks guys :-)
Comment by Maya — September 27, 2006 @ 8:24 am
Well, therein lies the problem with the organizations that aren’t certifying bodies. The orgs usually have good intentions and do their best (considering their financial means and such). And I would even go so far as to say that most orgs carrying the seal are v. cool, seriously committed orgs.
But as these fair trade membership orgs do NOT do product certification, it’s not all that difficult, from what I understand, to deviate from the goals of these orgs after one gets the initial membership approval…
Comment by Siel — September 27, 2006 @ 11:42 pm
Thanks Siel, you’re the best! :-) That’s what I’m afraid of…:-| just looking for what others like you esp. think about this federation org.
Comment by Maya — September 28, 2006 @ 5:32 am