June is the month most students (and teachers) look forward to as the end of their school year and beginning of summer break. As a coffee prosumer, however, your education doesn't get to go on break. Here's a little bit of math: it is estimated that approximately 4% of coffee sales in the United States are fairly traded coffees. I see a huge growth potential if we can create a national effort to consume only fairly traded coffee at home and at your local coffee shops.

You may have noticed that we use the term "Fairly Traded" to set ourselves apart from the term "Fair Trade". All of our coffees meet and exceed internationally recognized prices for our farmers. For me, it's important to be able to give as much to the farmer as we can while maintaining a steady income for my employees. For this reason, we often skip the middle man that gives "Fair Trade" certification. But more importantly, we are in the business of helping those farmers with land ownership and complete sustainability through our work with Agros. More often than not, companies use "Fair Trade" as a marketing ploy and not as a heartfelt desire.  It's important to us that our prosumers understand that fair prices are being paid for their coffee - not just to increase our bottom line.

So this summer, educate someone by offering them a great-tasting cup of coffee that was purchased from the farmers at a fair price and provided to you at a fair price. Responsible consumerism at its best and tastiest.

Jeff - CICR