Are there any downsides to fair trade coffee?

QUESTION:

Are there any downsides to fair trade coffee? What's the cynic's point of view?

ANSWER:

Interesting question.

I'm a big fan of fair trade. I think it help small coffee farmers and also supports them in their farming practices.

If I had a cynical moment, it wouldn't be concerning Fair Trade itself, it would be about some very large and very "unfair" companies which are using fair trade as a marketing ploy.

When McDonalds and WalMart start touting their fair trade coffee, I immediately see them as using the movement as a way to divert public attention from some of their less "fair" practices.

In my personal view, it’s no just the products or produce you buy that matters. Consumers can also make a difference by being careful about which companies they buy from.

The future of fair trade and fair trade coffee lies in supporting companies which are involved not just for profit, but also because of a genuine, honest commitment to social justice.

You can learn more about the fair trade movement on our organic and fair trade coffee page.