Thoughts on Fairly Traded and Certified Organic

Our View of Fairly Traded

What is Fair Trade?

Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world next to oil, and 70 percent of the world's coffee is grown by small farmers, many of whom are located in developing countries. These small farmers face many obstacles in obtaining a fair price for their efforts and in receiving recognition of worker rights.

Fair Trade promotes equal and fair partnerships between coffee growers in developing countries and coffee roasters in developed countries. This system provides growers with a premium price and fair living wage for their product, affording them basic needs for their families; such as food, shelter, education and health care.

By purchasing your fair trade coffee from Desert Sun, you are supporting hardworking farmers and their families, promoting cross-cultural partnerships, advocating for sustainable farming practices and improving quality of life.

Why Choose Fair Trade?

Desert Sun

  • Promote cross-cultural partnerships
  • Support sustainable farming practices
  • Improve quality of life
  • Cut out middlemen, so that more of each dollar goes back to the farmer

Farmer

  • Promotes environmental and social change
  • Respect for balanced ecosystem
  • Build financial security and strong communities
  • Provide for family
  • Education through open lines of communication

Consumer

  • Suppport environmental, economic and social change
  • Redistribute wealth from large corporations to farmers
  • Contribute to a global community
  • Help change lives

Big Picture

  • Health of earth and environment
  • Support sustainability and diversity
  • Maintain natural ecosystems
  • Break down barriers of cultural differences through education
Fair Trade is about leveling the playing field between buyers and sellers.

 

Our View of Certified Organic

What is Certified Organic?

Organic coffee is grown and harvested without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, generally on small farms under lush jungle canopies. This natural habitat is home to a diverse population of birds that act as a natural defense against bugs, and pests, which can ruin a coffee crop. Organic farming practices promote respect for the earth and its many precious eco-systems.

Our coffee is Certified Organic, which means that the organic integrity of every bean we roast is guaranteed from the tree to the cup. In order to obtain certified organic status, Desert Sun Coffee Roasters must carefully document each step in the supply chain: from growth, to harvest, to our facility in Durango, Colorado, and ultimately to you.

By purchasing organic coffee and other organic products, you are supporting environmental, social and economic change for yourself, for farmers, for the environment and for our future.

Why Choose Certified Organic?

Desert Sun

  • Beneficial for farmer, consumer and world
  • Support globalization without exploitation
  • Fresh, healthful products
  • Positive lifestyle
  • Medium for change

Farmer

  • Respect for sustainable ecosystem
  • Use natural resources to minimize production cost
  • Obtain best price for products
  • Health of community and land
  • Environmental and social change

Consumer

  • Chemical free
  • Support of environmental, economic and social change
  • Health benefits
  • Conscious lifestyle
  • Documented proof of organic process

Big Picture

  • Quality of life
  • Health of earth and environment
  • Sustainability
  • Maintain natural ecosystems
  • Links farmers, roasters and consumers in sustainable relationships

"Organic is a Lifestyle not just a procedure"