Fair Trade Coffee

coming to a venue near you....

Oxfam launches fair trade coffee chain
Society: Aid agency Oxfam is to open a chain of high street fair trade coffee shops in a venture that will be part-owned by growers' co-operatives in the developing world. [Guardian Unlimited]

Aid agency Oxfam is to open a chain of high street fair trade coffee shops in a venture that will be part-owned by growers' co-operatives in the developing world.

The Progreso cafe chain, launched by Oxfam and independent coffee company Matthew Argie, will buy coffee at a fair trade price from growers in the developing world who have been hit by a 70% slump in coffee prices since 1997.

Customers at Progreso cafes will be able to sip espresso made from a blend of premium quality coffee beans grown at co-operatives in the Honduras, Ethiopia and Indonesia. The growers' co-operatives will not just be able to promote their products, but will share ownership of the Progreso chain.

"Coffee growers will win three times with Progreso. They'll be selling their coffee at a fair trade price; they'll share directly in the profits and will also showcase their coffee to the UK," said Chris Coe, Oxfam trading director and one of the founders of the Progreso concept.

no word when this will make it to the States....