Fair Trade Coffee History
Traditionally, Fair Trade coffee was organic and shade grown. Most
varieties of Fair Trade coffee are naturally intolerant of direct sunlight, and prefer a
canopy of sun-filtering shade trees. The trees not only protect the coffee from
direct sun, they also mulch the soil with their fallen leaves which helps retain
soil moisture. The nitrogen-fixing shade trees enhance the soil, and also
provide habitat for birds. The birds in turn provide natural insect control with
their constant foraging. This sustainable method of farming uses little or no
chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Read more benefits of buying
Fair Trade coffee.
Fair Trade coffee is actually part of a larger movement dating back to the
forties when churches in the United States began selling crafts made by refugees
in Europe after World War II. In comparison to conventional trading structures,
Fair Trade methods offered higher returns to producers in the developing world
through direct trade and fair prices. Fair Trade has sought to address inequities
in the global economy and promotes grassroots development through direct, equal
trading.
In the 1970's, new coffee varieties were developed in third world countries to
help increase production. These new coffees produced significantly more coffee
beans that were smaller and easier to harvest. It also grew the best in direct
sunlight. Many coffee farmers cut their shade trees, switching to the new
varieties. Of the 6 million acres of coffee lands, well over half have been
stripped of trees since these new coffees began being cultivated. Only the
small, low-tech farms, often too poor to afford chemicals, preserved their shade
trees and are now dependant upon Fair Trade to survive.
Fair Trade certification began in Netherlands in 1988. This was in response to
dropping coffee prices in the world market. The TransFair seal was later
launched in Germany. Today, many countries have their own Fair Trade labeling
initiatives.
Read more about Fair Trade coffees.
See our complete list of Fair Trade coffee
|
