Member Article

Coffee Truths - Let’s support the growers of the world’s second largest commodity

For most of us our day starts off with a cup of coffee of some sort. Maybe a mug of French press as you read the paper or a take away from your local coffee house on the way to the office - our quick remedy for the struggle to get out of bed and into the real world. But have you ever thought about where your coffee actually comes from or the processes behind the production of your morning coffee.

Coffee is the second largest commodity after oil and petrol products, and as such is subject to a wide range of external factors which impact the strength of its market, the height of its demand, and the struggles and successes experienced by growers and harvesters globally. With coffee such a highly commercialised product, you may wonder about the ethics behind it – “Where does it come from? Who makes it? How does it get to us?” – And a growing number of coffee consumers across Ireland are actively seeking out coffee brands and cafes who promote ethically sourced coffees and teas.

Northern Ireland’s largest independent coffee bar chain Ground Espresso Bars can answer all of the above and much more when it comes to their coffee - in fact they could even introduce you to Omar, who is in charge of the Capucas Co-op in Honduras which grows their trademark coffees.

Karen Gardiner, Director, Ground Espresso Bars said “We put in a tremendous amount of work to ensure that our coffee is of the highest quality and not only unique to us, but also ethically sourced. We work directly with suppliers from Ethiopia, Honduras and Indonesia, and exercise a strict Fairtrade policy, working with local co-ops to ensure that all individuals, from labourers and farmers to exporters are treated fairly and ethically in all stages of our coffee production”

“Our house blend Purple Dragon is triple certified coffee - approved by the Fairtrade Foundation, Rainforest Alliance and Organic Food Federation”.

Highlighting their close relationship with global coffee growers who supply them with superior coffee blends, Ground Espresso Bars has vouched to support the farmers who grow their coffee and for 2015 as part of a year-long campaign, the company is partnering with Capucas on projects that make a difference in their community.

Karen explains, “In Santa Rosa fewer than 75% of people are literate and poverty remains an issue in daily life. With this in mind we are aiming to provide an educational Hub including an IT centre and two teaching staff for the co-op members and their families to use. In order to do this each Ground Espresso Bars store will be fundraising throughout 2015 to generate the $25,850 required to complete the project”.

For further information or to support Ground Espresso Bars’ ‘Honduras Project’ visit your local Ground Espresso Bar, www.groundespressobars.net.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula .