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We have been discussing how important Fairtrade is to us here at Rombouts, but we were wondering how important it is to coffee fanatics! How much does it influence your buying decision?

Well, I love my coffee even it doesn't says Fair Trade on it. And what means a Fair Trade sigh in fact? Is it organically grown and thus purer and healthier? Not sure...Let it be a coffee with a true coffee taste and smell, that's all what I ask

Hello, RomboutsUK and Helen! I think Fairtrade organization is very important as it serves as defender of those weak and unprotected people (in the face of law) who grow coffee in third countries. And I agree we should buy this coffee as it FairTrade's logo on it says it's a good, high-quality coffee. But what if I don't like it or consider it of a bad quality? Does the Fairtrade mark really secure us, consumers, against fake plain coffee?

Thanks for letting us know what you think Paula and Helena, both interesting points.

Fairtrade enables coffee farmers to get a fair price for their coffee. Usually the farmers are represented by a cooperative who receive a fairtrade premium, money to spend on improving the cooperative. This is spent on schools, healthcare, infrastructure etc and can make a huge difference to the communities.

It also allows us to work closely with the farmers to ensure that we are sourcing the best coffee. Overall it is a great deal for everyone.

I think Faritrade is very important and it does affect my coffee buying. However, if no coffee is available that has the FairTrade logo on it, well, I do need my coffee.

Thank you for such an interesting topic, RomboutsUK, and for finally explaining me and anyone other who was in doubt, what the Fair Trade really is. Now I understand - it is really important for those people who are living in coffee growing country and are usually without funds to be able to receive help from such organizations and people around the globe. That's a noble mission, I really respect people involved in these organizations!

Thank you all! I was a little confused by this term "Fairtrade" but now I know what it means, so thank you again!

I really hope that those people from Fairtrade do help coffee growers from third countries. If this is the case, then it is really important.

I always thought Fairtrade is a great thing, and I try to get Fairtrade coffee when I can. I'd imagine that in the future this is going to expand more, and I think it's a good model for other industries to follow as well.

I don't think it matters either way. It's all the same thing as long as you aren't loading your coffee up with artificial sweeteners or heavy creme, you should be OK.

Fairtrade means that retailers buy directly from local farmers, paying them a higher price than they would otherwise get if distributors were involved, so kudos for that! I would prefer buying Fairtrade coffee.

What's most important is that coffee is good, I don't care about the labels.

Well, I didn't notice a lot of Fairtrade coffee at our town, that's why it doesn't affect my choice when I'm going to buy coffee for home. However, if I'll ever come across such coffee, I will definitely prefer it instead of an usual one.

I don't worry if it is fairtrade coffee, sorry. I always hope the producers get a good price from buyers but I also realize there can be unscrupulous people along the supply chain.