Living Wage

We source our coffee exclusively from cooperatives that pay their farmers a living wage. So, what does that mean exactly? First off, let’s define a living wage.

Definition

Here is a commonly accepted definition for a living wage.

“A living wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. This is not the same as a subsistence wage, which refers to a biological minimum. Needs are defined to include food, housing, and other essential needs such as clothing.”
— Wikipedia

How Do We Certify That Farmers Receive a Living Wage?

We interview each of our suppliers to verify that they negotiate the price to be paid to the farmer before the farmer begins harvesting. We specifically look for a cooperatives that operate outside of the normal coffee broker system and base their payment structure on what is costs to produce the harvest as well as sustain long term financial interest in coffee farming.

Here, Sammy from our partner, Crowd Farm Africa, explains how the process works.

Here one of our farmers explains life both before and after she joined Crowd Farm Africa and the impact being paid a living wage has on her family.

Who are our partners?

We are proud to work with the following living wage certified cooperatives.

 
 
Cart (0)