Press Releases

TransFair USA Hosts World's First Fair Trade Certified™ Cupping Competition

Coffee Experts, Producers and Buyers Unite in Brazil to Select the Best Fair Trade Certified™ Coffee

Oakland, CA (October 8th, 2008) - TransFair USA, the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified products in the United States, is pleased to announce the first Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition.  The competition is designed to showcase the high-quality coffee that 10 producer organizations and more than 4,700 farmers produce under TransFair USA's Responsible Sourcing Partnership (RSP) project.   The week-long international round will take place in the major coffee producing region of Minas Gerais, Brazil from October 20-24, 2008. 

The Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition links Brazilian coffee producers with roasters and importers from the United States.  Buyers will have the opportunity to sample coffee, meet producers, and bid on the winning beans through a closed auction.

"With prizes and sales guarantees, there is a significant incentive to produce the highest quality coffees possible," said Jennifer Bielman, Director of Global Producer Services at TransFair USA. "The competition is an opportunity for small Brazilian farms to showcase their exceptional Fair Trade Certified coffee on an international scale."

The Fair Trade Certified coffee will be judged by a renowned group of cuppers, including Q Graders Wendy De Jong from Tony's Coffees & Teas and Darrin Daniel from Allegro Coffee.  Preparation for the competition included a training component that strengthened Brazilian coffee farmers' cupping skills, focusing on Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) regulations.

TransFair USA's Responsible Sourcing Partnership (RSP) is a private-public partnership, funded by USAID with contributions from Café Bom Dia, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, to improve quality and strengthen institutional and market capacity for Fair Trade Certified coffee producers.  With contributions from all partners totaling $1.9 million over three years, the program provides technical training and investment in farm and cooperative infrastructure to Brazilian Fair Trade Certified cooperatives representing more than 4,700 farmer families and providing benefit to more than 20,000 family and community members. 

Understanding Fair Trade Certified
The Fair Trade Certified label is a simple way for consumers to know that their products were produced under socially, environmentally and economically sustainable conditions.   A recently released study by the Hartman Group found that 73 percent of U.S. consumers believe their purchases have significant impact on society, and most are willing to pay a 10 percent premium for sustainable products.

Fair Trade Certified ensures that farms comply with rigorous environmental standards governing pesticide use, water conservation, wastewater treatment, ecosystem protection, and more. An extensive list of agrochemicals is completely prohibited, and other agrochemicals are required to be phased out over time.

Global Producer Services
TransFair USA's Global Producer Services department works with producers and other business partners to increase the benefit of participating in the Fair Trade Certified market.

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified products in the United States. TransFair USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified products and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair prices and wages. TransFair USA certifies coffee, tea, herbs, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, rice, sugar, bananas, flowers, honey and wine.