Fair Trade Friday: Global Coffee Co. renews long-term commitment to advancing fair trade coffee industry, farmer equity

It’s one thing to say you’re a fair trade company, but it’s another thing to actually embody the equitable practices that make you a fair trade company. Today, Global Coffee Co. is announcing a renewed, long-term commitment to advancing the fair trade coffee industry to ensure longevity and sustainability. 

What does this mean?

Good question! As a customer, nothing about your experience will change. You can still purchase your coffee beans online and expect farm-fresh coffee with each delivery. Part of the commitment Global Coffee Co. is making includes raising awareness. So while your purchasing experience won’t change, what you see while you surf our website and social media channels might! For example, this blog “Fair Trade Friday” will be shared on the first Friday of each month to shed more light on Global Coffee Co.’s worldwide fair trade efforts. 

Delivering on this effort

Global Coffee Co. CEO Marc Lawrence recognizes that this needs to be an all-in effort. “We realize that a commitment to fair trade is simply not something that you can go halfway in on. We are committed to the long-term sustainability of our industry and believe that’s only achievable if we remain focused on fair trade and lead the charge in that regard,” Lawrence said in a press release recently. 

Lawrence outlined this “all-in” approach in four pillars:

• Renewed focus – Lawrence and the senior leadership team at Global Coffee Co. have taken a long, hard look at the company’s fair trade efforts over the last decade and acknowledged where they’ve fallen short. 
• Dedication – To underscore its dedication to these efforts, Lawrence announced the formation of the Fair Trade Commission, which will include in-house employees, members of the community and fair trade consultants and experts who will ensure that all fair trade commitments are upheld. The first-of-its-kind commission will focus on all things related to fair trade to keep the company honest and dedicated.
• Accountability – The Fair Trade Commission will develop bi-annual fair trade reports that focus specifically on the worldwide coffee industry and where Global Coffee Co. sits as a fair trade advocate. This will provide the public with important information about its efforts and practices. 
• Consistency – The commitments, reports and dedication won’t fade away once the spotlight does. Lawrence says the company will consistently uphold this standard for the foreseeable future as it’s committed to building a better future through ethical and transparent fair trade practices.

Not going in alone

Supporting and contributing to coffee farmer equity is a complex effort. Global Coffee Co. doesn’t plan to undertake that effort all on its own. According to Lawrence, the company has joined the World Fair Trade Organization, which will serve as a great resource for connecting Global Coffee Co. with certified fair trade coffee wholesalers and retailers worldwide in the future. 

Next week on Fair Trade Friday

We will profile one of Global Coffee Co.’s retail partners to shed more light on how we get these delicious coffee beans from a farm in Mexico to your cup, wherever you are! 

*Fair Trade Friday is a recurring series that sheds light on the Global Coffee Company’s worldwide fair trade efforts. These posts are shared on the first Friday of each month. You can find more content like this on social media by following the hashtag #FairTradeFriday.