Finding Ethical, Fairly Traded Coffee

In a global economy, businesses compete to maintain/increase their profitability. What happens when profitability becomes the only standard that businesses live by? What happens to those who aren't in a position to become like that business, and therefore get cheated out of a living wage and into a cycle of poverty?

This is not a defense of that worldview. If you resonate with treating people fairly and understanding that they need a living wage just as badly as we do, then keep reading. If you want to pick issue with the premise, then this post may not be for you. Keep buying your Maxwell House and Gevalia.

This will not be an exhaustive list. What is listed here is six years of learning and what I've found in my research, as well as the 20+ years research done by these guys. You can buy their book off of Amazon. I have the book, and bring it with me to the store to sort out where I can spend money and support ethical companies and corporations. I'll keep the list short and sweet. The over-riding principle to abide by is to purchase locally if possible (which means conversations with your local distributors on how they are ethically and fairly trading for their coffee).

Rogers Gourmet Coffees & Teas - It seems that they actively pursue a good balance of sustainability, trading fairly and ethically, while maintaining profitability ( we need companies to make a profit in order for them to keep providing us with their services). Personally researched - I do not have the extensive time and research to do deep investigative research, but through conversations with others and online research, this company seems to be on the right track. Sidebar - San Francisco Bay Coffees are my favorite! They are sold by Rogers.

Larry's Beans - These guys are local to Raleigh, NC and I was introduced to Larry's by a friend who lived in Raleigh for a time, and commits to only buying locally, ethically, and organically. I trust her judgment and research as well as the mild research I did on these guys. A big plus for these guys is that they sell "green beans" - i.e. not-yet-roasted coffee. So if you are looking for a fair place to buy green beans at a good price, these are your guys...and they will ship them to you, of course.

Here is a list of coffee manufacturers ranked A -F according to the Better World Shopping Guide. Check it out and browse around on their web site.

Did you see your favorite coffee on the list? If so, GREAT! If not, don't fret. If it's not on the list, does not necessarily mean that it is unfairly traded. For a complete list go here. If it is not on their list, it is either because it's not a prominent company worth investigating, or they have insufficient data from their investigation. Feel better? Good.

I have selected some of my favorite, ethically and fair traded coffees that you can try as well. Check my favs out here and let me know what you think!.
To rip off a beer commercial and apply it to coffee. Stay Thirsty, my friends.