Organic & Fair Trade Coffee
We are especially proud to be certified as organic roasters/handlers by Baystate Organic Certifiers & Fair Trade Certified Roasters by TransFair USA.
Organic Coffee
In 2002 organic rules became more stringent to protect the integrity of the organic process. We have always had a strong focus on organics and the socioeconomic responsibilities surrounding life as a coffee roaster, so we didn't hesitate to seek certification. We were asked to create a path from green bean delivery to final packaging to ensure that no non-organic materials used in the handling or roasting of these beans challenged the 100% certified organic status.
Fair Trade Coffee
The gourmet coffee industry has blossomed into a booming business in the US. But the benefits of the coffee boom are not equally shared. Far removed from the wealth of the gourmet industry are millions of small farmers who lack access to credit and marketing know-how and are forced to sell their harvests to local loan sharks ("coyotes"). Farmers selling in these conditions typically receive less than 50 cents for a pound of coffee that sells in the US for more than $8. As a result, basic needs — food, housing, health care and education — frequently go unmet.
Fair Trade:
- Guarantees farmers a fair price.
- Encourages sustainable practices like organic farming.
- Provides access to affordable credit
- Creates direct trade links to farmer cooperatives.
- Promotes a new relationship that links consumers with farmers.
