Make a Difference by Purchasing Fair Trade Coffee

I wouldn't exactly describe myself as a social activist, but there are some causes that I get passionate about. For example, I am appalled at the number of people all over the world who live in abject poverty despite the fact that they work hard to try to earn a decent wage. I'm talking about sweatshops for sure, but also about the plight of small farmers that often cannot compete with massive agricultural corporations or survive by selling their products at rock-bottom prices. That's why I only buy fair trade coffee now.

You've probably heard of fair trade coffee before because this commodity has been getting worldwide attention in recent years. Even major retail chains like Starbuck's are buying and selling fair trade coffee, as they realize how important an issue it is for their customers. But do you know what makes these particular beans different from the rest? Prior to getting involved with the movement, I wasn't exactly sure myself, but I'll share a bit of what I've learned.

Basically, when you buy fair trade coffee, it means that the product was most likely grown and harvested by small farmers in third-world countries. It also means that the farmers were given adequate market prices for their goods, thus ensuring that they can make a living from their labor. Unlike the mass-produced stuff, the money you spend on fair trade coffee doesn't end up in the coffers of some mega corporation. Instead, the money goes to sustain the lifestyle of small farmers that would otherwise have to give up their efforts because of depressed prices. So your actions in this regard actually do make a big difference in the lives of many people.

Fair trade coffee is widely available these days, so it's easy to get involved in this worthy cause. As I mentioned before, many national cafes and restaurants sell fair trade coffee, as do a bunch of organic food stores and even some regular grocery stores. Just look for a special label on the package or check with organizations such as Oxfam or the WFTO for a list of retailer that participate in the program. Unlike other social issues, you don't have to go out of your way or make sacrifices in order to have a positive, lasting impact on laborers in poor nations. So really, there's absolutely no excuse for sitting on the sidelines here!

And in case you're wondering, fair trade coffee is even richer, more aromatic, and far tastier than the stuff churned out by commercial enterprises, so you'll actually be doing yourself a favor by switching over. Make this small change the next time you go shopping, and take pride in the fact that you're helping out in your own way!