Speaking of Coffee...

Tracy and I have been trying to get smarter about making purchases that support what we believe in. We try to go to local, individually owned restaurants, buy local produce, buy more natural and less synthetic products, etc. It is so hard, especially since they are typically more expensive or harder to find. But it just seems like the right thing.
This month, we started buying fairly traded coffee in bulk to reduce on packaging. Most good grocery stores offer a "fair trade" coffee option, but you can only buy the coffee in individual one-pound bags. Fair trade coffee means that the coffee farmer in places like Columbia, Guatemala, and Mexico, receives a fair price for their product. Without fairly traded coffee, farmers receive less money than the actual cost to produce the coffee (25 cents a pound)... and the middle man marks up the cost and makes the profit. [please click here for short video]

Tracy and I found a local roaster in Seattle called Pura Vida (they even offer sustainable tours of coffee plantations) who offers 100% fairly traded coffee. Another well-know roaster is Equal Exchange. But there are tons of other roasters from around the nation. There is even one in Leland, Michigan... and my sister Tonie was quick to contact them for her coffee (good for you Tonie! Local and Fair Trade!). Most roasters offer all organic and shade-grown coffees in bulk (5 lb. bags). But you may need to order on-line. Here is a list of 100% fair trade roasters.

So why not enjoy a cup of java knowing that you made a difference in the life of a coffee farmer? Buy Fair Trade Coffee today! Look for the Fair Trade logo on the label.