About the Bean

Is Fair trade really fair?

Many of you would’ve heard of the organization ‘The Fairtrade Foundation’. They aim to address the injustice that exists in global trade. Traditionally those producers in poorer, less developed countries have suffered the most, because they are part of a system that has made it difficult – if not impossible – to secure a fair price and safe and equitable working conditions. The Fairtrade Foundation has a significant involvement in the coffee ‘industry’ – to use a crude and not overly helpful phrase – however has it succeeded in improving the quality of life and the pay and conditions of those people involved in the growing and production of coffee – many of whom are among the world’s most poor and vulnerable.

Is there an even better way? I found the articles below helpful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wydick/10-reasons-fair-trade-coffee-doesnt-work_b_5651663.html
http://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_problem_with_fair_trade_coffee

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