By: Johnathan K. Bakers
There is a type of coffee, called Fair Trade coffee, that is produced a little differently than other types of coffee. By "produced differently", we do not mean that the beans used are inferior, or that the coffee produced will be different. The purpose of Fair Trade coffee is to protect coffee workers, and any coffee grower or producer in this organization agrees to make sure that the people who harvest and sort coffee products are treated fairly.
In the United States, we consume a great deal of coffee. Most people can't imagine starting their day or finishing a meal without a cup of coffee. But we never give a thought to how coffee beans are produced, harvested and shipped. We just drink it and take all of that for granted. But maybe we should think about fair treatment for coffee workers.
In many areas of the world, coffee workers are treated unfairly. Large plantations hire laborers at paltry wages and then expect them to work long, backbreaking hours in the sun. Plantations that are part of Fair Trade Coffee have agreed to respect coffee workers' rights. They agree to meet certain minimum standards for working conditions and worker compensation.
The organization behind Fair Trade Coffee tries to educate the coffee consumer so that he will be encouraged to buy products that are not being produced by exploited laborers. Fair Trade Coffee encourages consumers not to buy products they do not certify, and they will not certify a product if it comes from a producer who has unfair conditions.
The concept is that American coffee drinkers will not want to support a company that mistreats its workers, any more than the American consumer wants to buy clothing that is produced in sweatshops. Excellent products for your coffee, your cappuccino or your espresso are available from producers who treat their workers fairly.
As a matter of fact, some people have referred to exploitative plantations as "sweatshops in the fields". And even the small farmer who sells his coffee bean to big exporters is treated unfairly since he gets very little pay for the coffee, even when rates are high. This leads to poverty and destitution in the countryside.
If you believe that it is wrong to support organizations that do not treat their workers fairly, it is time for you to start paying attention to Fair Trade Coffee labels. You can find very good quality coffee that is endorsed by this organization.
You can go to the Fair Trade Coffee website, and you will find a list of producers who are part of their agreement and have been certified to be fair to their workers. Dean's Bean brand is just one example of how you can enjoy your cup of morning mocha while you make sure that the people who worked so hard to bring it to you are not being treated unfairly.
