Green Mountain Cafe – The Green Mountain Coffee Blog

Fair Trade Month Quiz:

Question 24: How many Americans are aware of Fair Trade?

Answer: Around 1/4

Haven’t answered our Fair Trade Quiz question of the day, yet? Well, why not? The answer’s right there! If that isn’t enough for you, the first 100 participants* get a sample of Green Mountain Coffee’s Fair Trade Certified™ Organic House Blend and all answers get entered to the grand prize drawing of 12-months of Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade Certified™ Coffees. Go here to enter: http://www.eatdrinkandbefair.com/quiz.php.

*Sorry, employees and their immediate family members of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. are not eligible. But keep an eye out for our internal Fair Trade quiz.

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Alfredo Rayo Granados of Finca Mil Flores

In January, 2007, I went on a “source trip” to Nicaragua with Green Mountain Coffee.  Over 18% of our employees have traveled to coffee-producing countries to learn about the hard work that goes into growing and harvesting high-quality coffee.

One of the most valuable parts of the trip is the chance to talk directly with farmers and representatives from coops about how Fair Trade has affected their communities.

For example, we visited Finca Mil Flores, a coffee farm in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.  Alfredo Rayo Granados gave us an impeccably presented tour of the farm, which is owned by his father.  Through Fair Trade, Alfredo received a scholarship that enabled him to attend a university – the first step in his dream to become a history professor.

Mercedes at Solcafe

At Solcafe, a dry mill in Matagalpa, we learned that Fair Trade benefits producers and their families by providing better medical attention and improved working conditions.  Mercedes, Solcafe’s 23-year old pro-cupper, praised Fair Trade and says it helps to support Solcafe’s emphasis on quality coffee.

Sandy (on left) with Guadeloupe Castillo from Finca Apaguis-Miraflor

In Esteli, Nicaragua, we inched up rough mountain roads to the farm of Guadeloupe Castillo.  Guadeloupe explained the benefits of Fair Trade in his community:  “There’s a social benefit.  One of the things Fair Trade provides is scholarships…People are paid fairly for labor which is important.  We have also been able to renovate some of the fincas, which provides work to people in the community and invests back into the finca.”

Through our travels, Fair Trade became more than just an abstract concept after hearing farmers speak about its benefits and seeing them with our own eyes.  We returned with a greater understanding of the meaning of Fair Trade and with many memorable first-hand experiences to share with our co-workers back home.

-Sandy

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