Coffee Pact

Pact - /pakt/ - 

a formal agreement between individuals or parties. But what does that have to do with coffee?

Well, it is a nod to the fair purchasing process of the third wave of speciality coffee which sees coffee farmers paid fairly for their product. Coffee (and tea) trade has historically been quite rocky, with corporations able to put pressure on farmers to lower their prices to win big contracts. Fortunately, today we have Fair trade certifications which ensure a baseline of standards, but speciality coffee roasters go above and beyond these agreements to support roasters and to secure their best coffee, with Direct trade.

Fair trade coffee is coffee that is certified as having been produced to fair trade standards by fair trade organizations, which create trading partnerships that are based on dialogue, transparency and respect, with the goal of achieving greater equity in international trade. These partnerships contribute to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to coffee bean farmers. Fair trade organizations support producers and sustainable environmental farming practices and prohibit child labor or forced labor.

Direct trade coffee is coffee that has been purchased directly from the farmer by the roaster. It reflects the relationship fostered and nurtured between the two parties. A relationship in which, ideally, issues pertaining to quality and pricing are defined and agreed upon, with the long term in mind for mutual benefit.

We feature the UK's best coffee roasters in our coffee subscription and many of our featured coffees are direct trade. You can read about our featured roasters here.

Photo by Michael Burrows from Pexels