Is illy “Fair Trade” coffee?
Illy supports, practices and promotes fair trade and for many years has been working with coffee growers to improve both the quality of the green coffee and the economic situation of those who grow it. Illy is not a member of the formal Fair Trade Association, instead choosing to educate and train and reward its growers so they can increase the value of their production by producing a higher quality product. In this way, the benefits are greater and longer lasting. Further, illy pays a premium price-as much as 100-120% above market-for the quality coffee it acquires. Because illy does not buy through brokers or commodity traders the money goes directly to the farmer-a farmer we have an ongoing relationship with. What is illy’s position on organic coffee? Illy’s demand for the highest quality beans is rarely met through organic coffee. Because Illy is a single blend composed of beans from 7 to 9 growing regions, some organics may be present in the blend if they meet our rigid quality st
