Lutheran World Relief
April 25, 2007
Baltimore — To keep pace with growing production costs and the needs of coffee-growing communities, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) Board has approved an increase in the social premium paid for Fair Trade coffee. Beginning June 1, 2007, farmer cooperatives will receive at least $1.31 per pound for their coffee, and $1.51 if it is organically certified.
Lutheran World Relief affirms this decision as a very positive one for farmers and their communities. A unique feature of Fair Trade, social premiums are money designated for cooperatives to use for community projects that are determined by the farmers.
“The farmers have used the social premium received from the sale of Fair Trade coffee to improve their communities in significant ways, such as building schools and health clinics, and providing scholarships for students to attend secondary school,” notes Jean M. Waagbo, deputy regional director for Latin America.
Since 1996, Lutheran World Relief has been promoting Fair Trade coffee to Lutherans across the United States through the LWR Coffee Project. In 10 years, Lutherans have purchased more than 575 tons of Fair Trade coffee, tea, and cocoa.
“The support Lutherans are showing for Fair Trade is inspiring,” said Kattie Somerfeld, Fair Trade projects coordinator at LWR. “It shows a commitment to small-scale producers which is deeply rooted in faith.”
In Nicaragua, Uganda, Bolivia, and Colombia, Lutheran World Relief works with Fair Trade coffee farmers to improve coffee quality and production, train youth, increase organic production, and develop income diversification programs. These projects, in addition to the projects funded by their Fair Trade social premium, empower communities to develop and grow the way they want to.
Visit lwr.org/fairtrade to get involved in the LWR Coffee Project and learn more about other Fair Trade projects.
April 25, 2007
Baltimore — To keep pace with growing production costs and the needs of coffee-growing communities, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) Board has approved an increase in the social premium paid for Fair Trade coffee. Beginning June 1, 2007, farmer cooperatives will receive at least $1.31 per pound for their coffee, and $1.51 if it is organically certified.
Lutheran World Relief affirms this decision as a very positive one for farmers and their communities. A unique feature of Fair Trade, social premiums are money designated for cooperatives to use for community projects that are determined by the farmers.
“The farmers have used the social premium received from the sale of Fair Trade coffee to improve their communities in significant ways, such as building schools and health clinics, and providing scholarships for students to attend secondary school,” notes Jean M. Waagbo, deputy regional director for Latin America.
Since 1996, Lutheran World Relief has been promoting Fair Trade coffee to Lutherans across the United States through the LWR Coffee Project. In 10 years, Lutherans have purchased more than 575 tons of Fair Trade coffee, tea, and cocoa.
“The support Lutherans are showing for Fair Trade is inspiring,” said Kattie Somerfeld, Fair Trade projects coordinator at LWR. “It shows a commitment to small-scale producers which is deeply rooted in faith.”
In Nicaragua, Uganda, Bolivia, and Colombia, Lutheran World Relief works with Fair Trade coffee farmers to improve coffee quality and production, train youth, increase organic production, and develop income diversification programs. These projects, in addition to the projects funded by their Fair Trade social premium, empower communities to develop and grow the way they want to.
Visit lwr.org/fairtrade to get involved in the LWR Coffee Project and learn more about other Fair Trade projects.
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