Press Releases

TransFair USA Applauds Dunkin' Donuts for Introducing Fair Trade Certified™ Espresso Beverages

All Beans To Be Certified By TransFair USA

Oakland, CA (September 30, 2003) -- TransFair USA, the nation's only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products, applauds Dunkin Donuts for introducing today its new line of espresso beverages that will be made exclusively with Fair Trade Certified™ coffee beans. Companies embracing the Fair Trade model help to ensure that farmers in developing countries receive a fair price for their products.

Dunkin Donuts, headquartered in Randolph, MA., will roll out the new espresso line to more than 1,500 stores across New England this fall, with the goal of offering it nationwide by the spring of 2004. With the introduction of its new espresso beverages, Dunkin Donuts will become one of the country's largest supporters of Fair Trade farmers.

"Coffee farmers around the world are struggling to make ends meet. We are ecstatic that such a large company with such a recognizable brand name like Dunkin Donuts is taking the socially responsible route and embracing the Fair Trade model. This is a great day, not just for Dunkin Donuts, but also for the hardworking farmers trying to keep their families together," said Paul Rice, President and CEO of TransFair USA. Rice added, "Dunkin Donuts decision is historic because it makes Fair Trade coffee -- which is some of the highest quality coffee available anywhere -- accessible to a whole new mainstream consumer segment."

With today's announcement, Dunkin Donuts delivers on a promise it made in April of this year, when it became the first national brand to commit to selling espresso beverages that are made exclusively with Fair Trade Certified™ coffee. Jon L. Luther, CEO of Allied Domecq Quick Serve Restaurants, home of Dunkin Donuts, commented, "For more than 50 years, Dunkin' Donuts has provided high quality coffee for customers throughout New England and beyond in our friendly and neighborly atmosphere. Our new Fair Trade Certified ™ espresso line is a natural extension of our coffee menu. We are proud to partner with TransFair USA and the Fair Trade community in a way that benefits farmers."

Since its inception five years ago, TransFair USA's certification of 33 million pounds of coffee has translated into $27 million dollars of additional income for small farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia. By selling their coffee through internationally accepted Fair Trade standards, farmer cooperatives are guaranteed a fair price ($1.26/lb; $1.41/lb if it is also certified organic). Today, more than half a million coffee farmers in 22 countries are able to stay on their land, keep their families together, and keep their children in school -- all because of Fair Trade.

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is the sole Fair Trade certification organization in the U.S. Since its founding in 1998, TransFair has certified over 33 million lbs. of Fair Trade coffee, returning more than $27 million in additional income to small-scale coffee farmers. TransFair also certifies Fair Trade tea, cocoa, chocolate and bananas. To learn more, visit http://www.transfairusa.org

Dunkin' Donuts Press Release

Contact:
Nicole Chettero
Public Relations Associate
TransFair USA
1611 Telegraph Ave. #900
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 663-5260 x357
nchettero@transfairusa.org