Fair Trade USA, in collaboration with the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, has announced a group of joint commitments with major partners deeply committed to sustainable coffee sourcing and improved farmer livelihoods. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for coffee farmers around the world who have been struggling with low C-Market prices. The unstable coffee market has millions of producers looking for the price assurances and community development funds provided by the Fair Trade model.
National retailer Target Corporation has committed 100% of the company’s Archer Farms coffee in both bags and pods to be certified sustainable by 2022 according to the Fair Trade USA standard or an equivalent. In collaboration with Fair Trade USA, they will partner with suppliers who meet Fair Trade social, economic and environmental standards, ultimately striving to enable coffee farmers to receive better prices and invest in their communities.
Beyond retail, a range of food service organizations are stepping up with significant Fair Trade coffee commitments. Chartwells Higher Ed will serve Fair Trade coffee at all 280 universities where they have operations, UCLA is committing to continue 100% Fair Trade coffee sourcing and increase on-campus education to showcase and contextualize their efforts, and Bon Appetit Management Company, which provides on-site restaurant services for universities, corporations, and museums in 34 states, has committed to sourcing all of its coffee from either from third-party-certified farmers (including Fair Trade producers), or through its Farm to Fork network of small, local, owner-operated roasters.