Cauliflower is a freelance writer and author of the book “All About Coffee” and an upcoming children’s book titled “Hazel and Her Sun.” She lives in Newport Beach.
If you are like most of the people in this country you probably drink coffee every day. And why wouldn’t you? It tastes good, smells good, and has recently gotten a lot of good press. Published tests Studies suggest that drinking coffee may prevent or lower the risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, liver and colon cancer, and some infections, as well as depression.
The icing on the cake is the fact that the choice of coffee is huge: you can choose from many options: forceful, soft, flavored, decaf, semi-caffeinated, organic, etc.
While personal taste plays a key role in decision-making, it may not be the only factor. Many consumers now also consider the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of what they consume. For coffee drinkers, this awareness manifests itself through: Fair trade coffee. But what exactly is Fair Trade coffee, and how fair is its claim?
First and foremost, Fair Trade aims to ensure that coffee workers are treated humanely and paid a “fair” price for their produce. In the coffee-growing world, this simply means that farmers work in a protected environment, with reasonable working conditions, and at the end of a long, demanding day, they can feed their families. It also means that they can let their children go to school instead of forcing them to work in the fields. (Fair Trade strictly prohibits forced child labor, which is a common practice among coffee farmers.)
Secondly, Fair Trade aims to promote environmental sustainability. As such, all Fair Trade coffees must be free of GMOs and harmful agrochemicals. Growers must practice farming practices that maintain biodiversity and protect land and wildlife. These include water conservation practices, proper waste disposal, and so on.
Third, Fair Trade emphasizes providing farmers with the business opportunities and skills needed to compete in the global marketplace. This includes organizing independent interactions between farmers and importers, in which both parties do business as directly as possible to eliminate middlemen.
While other factors influence the production of Fair Trade coffee, these three are the main factors cited by proponents. So far, so fair, right?
Well, according to critics, Fair Trade is ambiguous and controversial. Several researchers have pointed out shortcomings and even criticized this method of coffee production. For example, several university studies, including those from University of California (Berkeley, San Diego and San Francisco), Harvard, and University of Wisconsin, point out the shortcomings of the Fair Trade system and question its effectiveness.
Some argue that it does not address the root cause of poverty, nor does it support the poorest farmers. In compact, most studies conclude that the effects of this mode of trade have not been negligible so far, adding that Fair Trade still has a long way to go to live up to its promises.
It is crucial to note, however, that while such studies question the effectiveness of Fair Trade, they do not suggest that it worsens the already complex living and working conditions of coffee farmers. And how dire is this situation?
Consider these facts: today, 90 percent coffee production takes place in developing countries, while most coffee consumption takes place in industrialized countries. Coffee farmers in developing countries still face significant challenges. Data shows that nearly half of these farmers live in poverty, and a quarter of them live in extreme poverty. And even though coffee prices are rising, coffee producers typically keep about 1 percent of the retail price of the coffee, which, for a $4 cup of coffee, is about 4 cents per cup.
But earning a fraction of the profits is not the only problem these farmers face. They often have to work in appalling conditions. Long hours, migrating from one field to another, sleeping in transient shelters, and cooking, washing and bathing from the same water source are all typical.
While “experts” may debate the long-term benefits and effectiveness of Fair Trade, there are a few points that need to be made. First, Fair Trade does not worsen the already miserable working conditions of coffee farmers. At least it is neutral, while at best it does make some improvements, albeit minor. Second, the system aims to improve the environment as well as the living conditions of coffee farmers, and perhaps more importantly, to end child labor. And while achieving these goals requires more than good intentions, good intentions are always a good start. So if you drink coffee and choose Fair Trade, consider it a fair choice. A very fair choice!
