It is terrible how little coffee growers are receiving for the raw product, something has to be done to put it right soon.

the only way to make this right is if everyone refuses to buy coffee that isn't fair trade branded. Huge profits are made by coffee manufacturers, yet those that grow it, are mostly living in poverty..

Much as I'd like to see that happen too, the reality is that anything stamped fair trade coffee is more expensive in the stores than others. I personally have to think about what's in my own pocket before someone else's so the more expensive option isn't for me.

It's a given that coffee growers have a right for a fair price. I think that speculators need to be outlawed. Why should rich people with money to play with be allowed to poison free trade and ruin economies?

While often times it is more expensive to buy fair trade, we try to whenever we can.

I am not a coffee drinker, but I would presume that to extend the fair trade market would make prices go higher, precisely because the ones that are in "power" would not like to loose that money to the growers.

That was a thought provoking article. We buy very little coffee as a family but we find it hard to buy fair trade because we want mild decaffinated coffee and there is not a fair trade option available locally that meets my requirement.

Our very favourite fair trade coffee is Cafe Mam. We have not drunk it for a while, but yesterday I was in a natural food store that carried the Cafe Mam beans, and their price has gone down considerably. If you see Cafe Mam, buy it and you won't be sorry. It is the smoothest, richest taste, and this confirmed tea drinker loves it!

I am not sure about coffee value. http://womeny.com/caffeine-friend-or-enemy/medicine/411

I think that we need trade fair coffee because coffee shops needs to know which coffee is the best. That is the only thing that I know. This is article is a good read.