Find out What the Difference Is
Fair Trade vs. Direct Trade: What’s the Difference?
Dhen most people think of coffee, they think of the big brands that are found in grocery stores across the country. But there is a different kind of coffee out there, one that is made with care and consideration for the farmers who grow it. There are specific coffee growing, sourcing, and roasting practices that we are talking about, and two of the most well known are fair trade and direct trade. So what's the difference between fair trade and direct trade?
Let's take a closer look!
Fair trade is a certification that coffee roasters can choose to obtain. In order to be fair trade certified, coffee must meet certain criteria regarding fair pricing, worker rights, and environmental sustainability. The idea behind fair trade is to create a more just and equitable global trading system. This system offers farmers guaranteed minimum prices for their coffee, as well as other social and economic benefits. Direct trade, on the other hand, is a sourcing model that allows coffee roasters to work directly with farmers, removing middle layers of the supply chain. This relationship is usually built on trust, transparency, and long-term contracts. In many ways, direct trade goes beyond fair trade in terms of its commitment to farmers.
So which is better? Fair trade or direct trade? The answer is complicated. Both have their pros and cons, and ultimately it depends on the specific situation. However, one thing is for sure: when you choose coffee that has been sourced through fair trade or direct trade, you are supporting farmers and ensuring that they receive a more fair price for their coffee. That's something we can all feel good about, and it's why The Great Coffee Project (TGCP) prioritizes direct trade and fair trade production, and always strives to offer you variety and unique flavor in our selection of specialty coffees /collections/single-origin whenever possible!
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