This post is dedicated to Il Barista, aka Coffee Pot Dictator, who long ago had told me this about "fair trade" coffee. Well, perhaps some people will dismiss his words because he works for Satan Coffee, but as an industry insider, he ought to know -- and does.
"Fair trade" coffee doesn't do much for the poorest of the coffee farmers. I've told you before: if you want to combat poverty, support free trade. "Fair trade" won't tackle poverty.
It might, though, make you feel virtuous about yourself as you pay top dollar for mediocre coffee. Frankly, I'll even argue that "fair trade" and all its ilk are really selling virtuous self-image, not coffee or any other real product.
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