3 Great Fair Trade Coffee Farms To Visit

It’s the way that millions of people around the world start their day, with a piping hot cup of coffee. Although this crop is beloved and valuable, many are unable to earn a reliable living by cultivating coffee. While an estimated 125 million people enjoy this popular and delicious beverage those who are responsible for farming it struggle. The solution is to consider switching to fair trade coffee. These 3 great fair trade coffee farms give travelers a chance to explore a new country all while learning about the sustainable coffee practices of these producers. 

What Is Fair Trade Coffee?

Fair trade coffee is similar to organic coffee in the way it’s certified. Essentially, fair trade lets you know who farmed the beans anywhere in the world. Being certified fair trade coffee means that the farmers receive fair prices from buyers, while helping the community and environment.

Fair trade is also better for you because around 85% of fair trade coffee is also certified organic. This means that the coffee is free of commonly used agrochemicals and pesticides. When switching to fair trade you’ll be getting higher quality coffee that’s completely free of chemicals. You can find out more about fair trade by reading, What Are The Fair Trade Products And Services.

Why Should You Drink Fair Trade Coffee?

There are many reasons to switch to  fair trade, the largest being that it helps to support farmers in a way that normal coffee production does not. While typical coffee production under pays farmers, fair trade makes sure that they make a living and fair wage. It also promotes environmental protection because sustainable coffee  standards require sustainable agricultural practices. Fair trade also helps small coffee producers to cultivate their land without the need for further deforestation for crops. These practices provide financial stability and economic independence for coffee farmers. 

A Few Facts About Fair Trade Coffee

• There are around 812,500 fair trade certified coffee farms in the world 
• The average size of these fair trade coffee farms is just 3.46 acres of land 
• The Caribbean and Latin America produce a stunning 80% of all fair trade coffee
  
  

How To Tell If Coffee Is Fair Trade?

If you are looking for coffee in a grocery store in the United States, you can find the Fair Trade Certification seal on a coffee bag. The fair trade mark is one of the most well known ethical labels in the world, you can find more about fair trade certification here. 

Kona Coffee Farm Tours – The Big Island Of Hawaii

Kona coffee is world renowned fair trade coffee located in Kailua on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. What makes Kona coffee farms truly unique is that they grow their crops between 2 volcanoes. There are many different tour options, try the Kona Coffee Living History Museum that’s run by the Kona Historical Society. This is the only living history coffee farm in the United States. You can view the original farmhouse as the pioneer enactors bring this living history Kona Coffee farm to life. When you visit, you’ll discover how many of the Big Island Kona Coffee farms practice sustainable farming by only producing 100% organic beans without the use of harsh chemicals. They are diligent in their efforts to ensure farm worker safety, while also limiting the impact on the ecosystem. 

Cafe de Monteverde Coffee Tour – Costa Rica

Cafe de Monteverde Coffee Tour is a fun and educational 2 hour and 30 minute eco tour where you’ll discover how sustainability, community, and attention to detail come together in one magical cup of coffee. The farm tour is located in Monteverde, Costa Rica, which is a 2 hour and 36 minute bus ride from the capital, San Jose. It’s here that Cafe de Monteverde Coffee sustainably diversifies their fair trade coffee production. They do this with an organic vegetable garden, goats, pigs, and chickens. They’ve also found a great balance between the natural protection of the surrounding forest and their coffee production. On the sustainable coffee tour you’ll learn how the farms coffee cherries are grown, the entire roasting process and you’ll be treated to a special tasting at the end. 

Spirit Mountain Organic Coffee Plantation – Dominican Republic

Spirit Mountain Organic Coffee Plantation is in the  Dominican Republic, a small island of Hispanolia in the Caribbean. Spirit Mountain is an operating fair trade coffee farm that utilizes sustainable agricultural practices in their coffee production. There are several options in terms of tours, you can visit for a day tour which includes access to the farm and a self guided tour. Or you can choose a camping tour, these small groups are transported by 4×4 to Camp Spirit Discovery where you can camp while learning about sustainable coffee. Spirit Mountain never uses chemicals or pesticides and continues to refine their sustainability by allowing their coffee to go through a natural drying process. They are innovative and constantly experimenting to make their farm even more sustainable. 

Fair trade coffee is unquestionably better for both you and the environment. If you aren’t able to take one of these sustainable coffee eco tours, you can buy coffee from any of their websites. You can also look for the fair trade coffee certification on coffee at your local grocery store. Switch to fair trade coffee to live a more sustainable lifestyle! 

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