The Ultimate in Transparency, Fair Trade Proof

TRACE YOUR BEANS FROM FARMER TO ROASTER

FairTradeProof.org

As the idea of fair trade catches on in an ever-increasing number of places, more and more people ask for “proof” that fair trade is indeed fair. We often question the claims of others, and we know that one of the least transparent links in the fair trade chain is the certification system.  We are have launched our response to these questions – FairTradeProof.org.

The goals of Fair Trade Proof are to make each step of a fair trade coffee purchase visible and relatively easy to understand; and to provide proof of our fair trade claims - backed up by all of the paperwork and documentation associated with each transaction. This goal not only demonstrates transparency by connecting roasters and producers through a document trail, but also provides a place for roaster members, inspectors, producers, and the general public to access relevant information about the Fair Trade coffee industry. Fair Trade Proof shines a light on information about Fair Trade transactions that has never before been publicly available:

Within Fair Trade Proof:

• Explanation of Coop Coffees transparency efforts
• Simple walk through of documents for each step of a coffee purchase
• Detailed explanation of each document
• Document packs for each container purchased

On a producers page:

• Length of partnership
• Total beans purchased
• Organic certificate link
• FLO ID number
• Short profile with photos
• Links to docs for all containers from that coop

On a roasters page:

• Length of membership
• Contact information, including website
• Organic certificate link
• Short profile with photos
• Links to docs for all coffees that roaster has purchased

Our hope is that in discovering and utilizing this tool, consumers will be inspired to look beyond the simple Transfair label and demand that traders and sellers stick to what should more than just Fair Trade rhetoric -- that is, total transparency. By gaining access to the "insider's scoop" of the business transaction between producer and importer/roaster, the consumer becomes engaged in the process. After all, knowledge is power and Conscious Coffees through Fair Trade Proof wants people to know what's behind their cup of coffee.