A Noteworthy American Fair Trade Coffee Company

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a bit of a coffee nut, so I've recently begun buying fair trade coffee exclusively. (Seattle's Best has an organic/fair trade blend that I'm really into at the moment.) And even though I'm not overly crazy about how obnoxiously ubiquitous Starbucks is, I recognize that they are essentially a fair trade organization. (Just a heads up - Starbucks actually owns Seattle's Best. Go figure.)

AAAANYWAY, after my post the other day regarding social justice and fair trade, I remembered having some coffee at Azusa Pacific University a few months ago and noticing the fair trade company that supplied the little campus coffee shop. It's called Pura Vida and it's 100% charitably owned, with an impressive group of volunteer individuals and organizations. I was particularly struck by this line in their mission statement: "We believe in a different approach to business. One driven by good rather than greed. One that sees capitalism as an agent for compassion." (emphasis mine) This is a stark contrast to many other definitions and abuses of capitalism in the U.S. and it is one that carries hope and redemptive substance.

So for all you blog surfers in the U.S., head over to Pura Vida and order some coffee. And while you're enjoying your first cup, jump online and tell me what you think.

Oh, and one other little resource that you may find helpful - an exhaustive FAQ page on fair trade practices. I found it to be pretty helpful. Here's an excerpt:

Q. What is a fair wage? Producers receive a fair wage when they are paid fairly for their products. This means that workers are paid at least that country's minimum wage. Since the minimum wage is often not enough for basic survival, whenever feasible, workers are paid a living wage, which enables them to cover basic needs, including food, shelter, education and health care for their families. . . .

Q. Why do fair trade organizations support cooperative workplaces? Cooperatives and producer associations provide a healthy alternative to large-scale manufacturing and sweatshop conditions, where unprotected workers earn below minimum wage and most of the profits flow to foreign investors and local elites who have little interest in ensuring the long term health of the communities in which they work. Fair trade organizations work primarily with small businesses, worker owned and democratically run cooperatives and associations which bring significant benefits to workers and their communities. . . .

Categories: justice