The Shady Business of Fair Trade

To switch from shade grown to sun grown coffee is a simple procedure. First, cut down all the trees. Next, be sure to use enough herbicides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers to protect the now-exposed coffee shrubs. Finally, be prepared to replace the ones that die because of lack of canopy protection in a harsh dry season. 

Over the past twenty years, pressure from corporations and governments has forced many traditional plantations to abandon shade growing for sun growing methods. The argument, of course, is increased output. While this may be true in the short-term, it hasn’t been completely true over the long-term. In fact, some areas have already proven traditional methods to have higher output in the long run. So when it comes to Fair Trade coffee, being a “shady” business is actually a good thing.

On its web site, TransFair USA (a Fair Trade Labeling Organization, or FLO) provides a Fair Trade Overview listing six Fair Trade principles:

• fair price
• fair labor conditions
• direct trade
• democratic and transparent organizations
• community development
• environmental sustainability

Traditional coffee plantations fit the Fair Trade principles. In particular, they provide a habitat for migratory birds looking for a comfortable place to spend their winter vacation. According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park Migratory Bird Center, migratory birds have lost most of their natural habitat in North and Latin America. Since traditional coffee plantations exist among large shade trees, the birds have adapted and made these plantations their new home.

But this issue isn’t just about the birds.

Traditional plantations keep farmers, their families, and other life in the area free from the effects of harmful chemicals in the air and water. And Fair Trade certified products bring farmers and farmworkers a fair price for their goods. In turn, this creates stability and improvement in the daily lives of people who work hard in hope of a better life.

Our goal in these F.Y.I. articles isn’t to tell you about all the problems in the world. It’s intended to provide information about issues you may be aware of, but haven’t researched. It’s also our hope that this information might give you the opportunity to understand what you can do about the social and environmental issues we discuss.

So in the end, it pays to be a “shady” character when you duck in to your favorite coffee shop. Just look or ask for shade-grown coffee. It’s a way that one person can make a difference…and still get that caffeine buzz.

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