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Peace Coffee is an organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that sells organic, fair trade coffee. The company sells coffee through grocery, retail stores, food co-ops, and via the Internet. The organization operates throughout the United States, but has a strong presence in the Upper Midwest. Peace coffee is one of 24 fair trade coffee roasters part of Cooperative Coffees.

History

Peace Coffee was formed by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in 1996 The company also partnered with Rigoberta Menchu. The idea for Peace Coffee came from Mexican coffee producers who had the goal of selling 100% certified organic and free trade coffee. In 1999, Peace Coffee joined the group, Cooperative Coffees. Currently, Cooperative Coffees has partnered with 20 different coffee-growing cooperatives in the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.

Reception

Peace Coffee received publicity after rapper/actor Ice Cube mentioned that he often made Peace Coffee in the morning in an interview with Bon Appétit magazine.

Energy Efficiency

Peace Coffee has a mantra "pedal not petrol", which refers to the company's policy of using bicycle couriers to deliver their product to stores, coffee shops, and food co-ops. While the company uses the bicycle couriers within the cities, it purchased a biodiesel van for deliveries to the suburbs and out of state.

Fair Trade Controversy

The fair trade label is often criticized due to the certification process. Chris Eilers, president of Dunn Bros, stated

'Fair-trade certified' is not the be-all end-all in coffee buying. If people jump on the simple philosophy of 'fair trade' it excludes farmers in East Africa or small tribal growers in New Guinea. And for some of them, the concept of cooperatives and fair trade isn't in their vocabulary. They may not be able to afford to be certified yet, but they deserve to be paid well for good coffee and environmental practices. We visit the farms directly or we buy from importers that have been there and can assure that sustainable practices are in place.

Further criticisms state that the label only goes to cooperative producers so independent producers and large corporations are often left out.

References

1. "Meet us: Our Mission". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
2. "Find Peace Coffee Near You". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
3. "Meet Us: Our Story". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
4. ^ "Peace Coffee". Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
5. ^ St. Anthony, Neal (25 October 2008). "Peace Coffee: Changing the world a cup at a time". Star Tribune. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
6. Dean, Sean. "My Morning Routine: Rapper/Actor Ice Cube Makes a Mean Cup of Coffee, Isn't About to Try Sushi Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2012/04/my-morning-routine-ice-cube-ra.html#ixzz1u1eFRXmw". Bon Appétit. Condé Nast. Retrieved 5 May 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
7. "A Day in the Life of Peace Coffee's Delivery Cyclist". Wedge Community Co-op. Retrieved 6 May 2012.

External Links

• Official Website
• this isn't a particarly good page, but it gives a little bit of information
• Blog, but still decent info
• The Wedge Community Co-op