Support Fair Trade by drinking (really) good coffee
Van Houtte Coffee and Calgary Co-op team up to raise funds and awareness for Peruvian Fair Trade coffee cooperative
Calgary, AB (February 15, 2008) – When you buy a fresh cup of
coffee at any Calgary Co-op today, your money goes directly to COCLA, a
coffee cooperative in Peru that supplies Fair Trade coffee beans to the
Van Houtte Coffee Company. To celebrate their new fresh coffee program
called, “Good Coffee, Fair Trade”, Calgary Co-op is donating all
proceeds from the sales of hot beverages on Friday, February 15 to the
cooperative organization. Van Houtte, a TransFair Certified coffee
company, is supplying the coffee for the event.
“I hope that our program inspires other retailers to get involved
with Fair Trade co-operatives,” said Donna Burn, Vice President of
Member and Public Relations for Calgary Co-op. “We’ve had such a
terrific response from our customers for our efforts and the coffee
itself is outstanding.”
In the summer of 2007, Calgary Co-op implemented a Van Houtte Fair
Trade coffee program in all of its 26 convenience stores and 22 grocery
stores. The collaboration has been a great way for both organizations
to raise awareness about organizations like COCLA. The COCLA
cooperative uses revenue from Fair Trade sales to invest in sustainable
agriculture, quality improvement and in the health and education of
their workers.
“We believe that investing in the lives of our coffee producers
ultimately produces better coffee,” said Joseph Audi, director of
marketing for Van Houtte. Fair Trade certified coffees are purchased
through direct trade from cooperatives (co-ops) or small coffee farmers
at a price that reflects a living wage and under trading conditions
that are sustainable for producers as well as buyers.
Increased profits generated from Fair Trade coffee sales are often used
to build or improve processing facilities. The stable price and credit
that these coffee farmers receive help them maintain and improve the
quality of their coffee.
Coffee co-ops participating in the Fair Trade movement often offer
scholarships for the children of producers so they can learn about the
technical side of coffee production and improve the quality and
efficiency of their family farms. In communities with very few economic
options, Fair Trade offers a viable alternative to growing coca, which
is of lesser benefit to the members and producers.
The Fair Trade
model improves social and environmental standards for the people
involved in the production of coffee by offering better trading
conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and
workers. The fundamental benefit of this model is really about
improving the quality of life for coffee farmers.
About Van Houtte Coffee Company
Since 1919, Van Houtte has been producing superior-tasting coffees
using traditional European small-batch roasting methods. Our
long-standing dedication to European-style quality and tradition is
reflected in our company signature: A taste of Europe in your cup. It expresses our commitment to the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of our business.
Today,
we are one of North America's leading gourmet coffee companies involved
in nearly every aspect of the industry. We select and buy our beans,
roast and package our coffees, manufacture state-of-the-art single-cup
brewing equipment, and market a wide range of unique products to
retail, office, café and online customers.
About Calgary Co-op
Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest
retail co-operatives in North America, with 425,350 members, 4,000
employees, $352 million in assets and annual sales approaching $1
billion. Calgary Co-op has 22 retail shopping centres, 22 in-store
pharmacies, 26 gas bars, 9 travel offices and 15 liquor stores located
in Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore, and Okotoks, Alberta.
The continuing development of Calgary Co-op is a priority for its board
of directors, management and employees. Guided by a comprehensive
vision and strategic direction, Calgary Co-op has a dynamic three-year
development and enhancement plan that will see existing stores
renovated and new centres built in emerging markets.
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For more information, please contact:
Kyra Aylsworth
416-515-7517 ext. 227
aylsworth@thornleyfallis.com
Michael O’Connor Clarke
416.515.7517 ext. 245
mocc@thornleyfallis.com
