Cool Beans Coffee Regaining Trust in Fair Trade

Meta Description:  Cool Beans Coffee Company (Re)Establishes Commitment to Fair Trade

Meta Tags:  Cool Beans, Coffee, Fair Trade, Fair Trade Certification

Cool Beans Coffee Company (Re)Establishes Commitment to Fair Trade

Local Roots, Global Outreach.  Cool Beans Coffee Company was established in 1989 in Cappuccino, Maryland.  Cool Beans is an extremely progressive-thinking organization and established fair trade practices with coffee growers all over the world, primarily in Ethiopia.  While the term “fair trade” may not be the first thing coffee drinkers consider when reaching for a cup of caffeine during their morning routine, it is an important concept on a global level and an important commitment made by Cool Beans Coffee Company.

Fair Trade.  Fair trade “means livable wages, community development, health, and education” for coffee farmers and their families (Some Facts, 2014, para. 1).  There are strict criteria that coffee importers and retailers must adhere to in order to be considered a fair trade organization.  Those criteria are determined at an international level to ensure realistic guidelines by native countries as well as importing countries.  Fair trade is more than just a label—it is a commitment to the people and communities who grow consumables and is a factor for coffee consumers.  In fact,  “the prominent appearance of the Fair Trade Certified™ label increases sales among coffee-buying consumers” (Research Reveals, 2014, para. 1).  As an established fair trade retailer, Cool Beans elimates the concern over unethical practices.  Coffee consumers are able to enjoy their morning cup o’ joe knowing their purchase supports a retailer who cares about bettering communities worldwide.  

CEO Eric Folger

Regaining Trust.  Recently, there were allegations that Cool Beans Coffee Company purchased coffee beans from big coffee suppliers known for their unethical practices.  Since those allegations surfaced, Cool Beans revisited purchasing protocols to eliminate any future breeches in policy.  According to Cool Beans CEO Eric Folger, “we deeply regret the breech in policy, are taking proactive steps to eliminate future breeches, and moving towards our continued commitment to fair trade.”  Folger recently met with officials in Ethiopia, re-establishing the fair trade commitment and working to regain the trust of coffee growers as well as consumers.  

Sources:

CEO Image. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=coffee%20ceo&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=coffee%20ceo&sc=8-10&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=C606CE08A9C0BF8624E7BE3727A3986DE1CDF66F&selectedIndex=19

Fair Trade Image. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/05/fair-trade-tough-be-ethical-consumer/

Research Reveals Increased Consumer Demand for Fair Trade Certified Labeled Products. (2014). Retrieved from CSR Wire: http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/32081-Research-Reveals-Increased-Consumer-Demand-for-Fair-Trade-Certified-Labeled-Products

Some Facts About Fair Trade Coffee. (2014). Retrieved from The Fair Trade Coffee Company: http://fairtradecoffee.org/some-facts-about-fair-trade-coffee.html