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In order to offer you, our readers, the opportunity to improve the wages and living conditions of people throughout the world, including American citizens, we are going to begin identifying and offering items that meet the standards of either the Fair Trade Federation or Transfair (the two main bodies that set standards for Fair Trade items).

When you buy products offered on BuzzFlash's Fair Trade Monday, you are making a commitment to creating better job opportunities, working conditions and self-empowerment for people around the world.

We will be offering a variety of foods and products from around the world -- and we will try to tell you a bit about the people whom your purchase of the product is helping.

As for our first BuzzFlash Fair Trade Monday premium, we are offering an 8 3/4 ounce bag of "Forestal Coffee" (ground) grown and processed in Costa Rica by the Coocafé Cooperative. The Coocafé cooperative "is comprised of nine coffee cooperatives, representing some 3,500 producers. The organization was founded with the support of the agriculture and economics program within the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The principal objective of Coocafé is to enhance the cooperative members' products and resources, and to create alternatives for sustainable and integrated development in their communities. Ultimately Coocafé strives to reach a level of financial self-sufficiency within each affiliate cooperative, as well as for the umbrella organization.

"In addition to coffee, Coocafé is aware of the need for members to diversify from single crop production. Coocafé encourages the production of crops such as yucca and macadamia nuts, and the implementation of ecological practices, such as reforestation programs in the fields. Meanwhile, a Coocafé-run scholarship fund, Hijos del Campo, promotes higher education for the children of Coocafé associates."

"Unlike other coffee you find in U.S. supermarkets, every step of the coffee production process is completed in the country of origin."

Coocafé reinvests a small portion of the payment for each bag of "Cafe Forestal" in helping to "restore and maintain" tropical rain forests, initially using funds in the "northern Pacific [Costa Rican] area of Guancaste, one of the most heavily deforested regions of Costa Rica."

Not to mention that when you make a cup or two of "Forestal Cafe" you will enjoy a smooth, slightly nutty taste. Perfect all around.

And, as always, you are helping to support the pro-democracy work of BuzzFlash.com

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS