T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Go Fair Trade

SPOKANE, Wash.: Discount retail stores T.J. Maxx and Marshalls will begin offering certified organic Fair Trade coffee this month in collaboration with Spokane-based Nectar of Life Coffee Company.

Nectar of Life Coffee Company is a wholesale coffee roaster that specializes in shade grown, certified Fair Trade, organic coffee. The company is a USDA certified organic producer, a kosher certified roaster and a partner of CRS Fair Trade.

The company founder and master roaster Martin Jennings has developed 5 unique coffee blends for distribution through T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores. The line will include a range of roast levels and contain Arabica coffee from Peru and Papua New Guinea.

The stores will sell the coffees at an industry leading low price enticing consumers while still abiding by Fair Trade policies.

In a recent press release, Mr. Jennings said "it is to be made clear, these are ultra-premium blends. Just because they are socially responsible coffees doesn't mean they aren't gourmet."

Martin Jennings was a winemaker before founding Nectar of Life Coffee Company and now says "blending coffee is a passion. I love the synergy of flavors multi-origin blends can provide."

Nectar of Life's other passion is an adherence to Fair Trade policies. Nectar of Life co-founder Hannah Jennings said "our founding philosophy is the belief that when the public is presented with organic Fair Trade coffees as good as the world's top gourmet (non-Fair Trade) blends, they will choose the environmentally and socially responsible coffee every time."

Hannah Jennings said that Nectar of Life Coffee Company chose to distribute through T.J. Maxx and Marshalls because of the stores' distribution efficiency. "With their efficient distribution system and low margins, we felt that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores were the perfect vehicle to provide the public with fresh roasted organic Fair Trade coffee at an affordable price," she said in a statement to the press.

Fair Trade Certified coffees support farming families through fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship. Nectar of Life Coffee Company purchases coffees certified by TransFair USA. TransFair USA is an independent certification agency whose policies ensure farmers utilize sustainable organic farming practices and are paid above the Fair Trade minimum.

According to TransFair USA, Americans drink 108 million cups of coffee a day and spent over $22 billion on coffee in 2006. Retail sales of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the U.S. jumped from less than $50 million in 2000 to almost $500 million in 2005 making Fair Trade coffee the fastest growing segment of the U.S. specialty coffee market.

Nectar of Life's Fair Trade Certified coffee blends are due in T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores mid March and will sell for $5.99/10oz. bag.

Sources:

"Fair Trade for All - Gourmet Coffee for the Masses" March 9, 2007