Our Fair Trade Story
When most people think about coffee, they think about roasted beans they can buy from a store, or maybe a memorable cup shared with a friend. It’s not often that we think about where those beans came from or the behind-the-scenes work that makes your morning coffee experiences and outings possible.
October is Fair Trade Month, and a great time to discover the story behind every cup of coffee, where it came from, and the people who made it.
At Kauai Coffee, our Fair Trade USA certification is one way we help tell the story of our coffee and support the community that makes it possible. It reflects our commitment to our employees, investing in our island community, and growing coffee responsibly. Learn more about Fair Trade, our certification journey, and what it means for your morning cup.
Understanding Fair Trade
Fair Trade is a global movement that began after World War II to connect marginalized workers to global markets. Today, the fair trade movement is supported by a diverse network of producers, companies, customers, and organizations working together to build a more equitable trade model.
In 1988, coffee was the first product to carry a Fair Trade seal. Ten years later, Fair Trade USA® was established with a handful of partners and has grown into the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, with more than 1,250 partners. When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified seal, you can be sure its producer meets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards, including
- Safe working conditions
- Environmental protection
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Community development
For coffee growers, Fair Trade certification creates a framework for accountability while providing resources that can directly benefit workers and their communities. For coffee drinkers, it offers a meaningful connection to the people behind every harvest.
Our Fair Trade Journey
At Kauai Coffee, sustainability has long been a guiding principle. As coffee growers on Kauai, we understand that the health of our farm is closely connected to the well-being of our community and the future of our island.
In 2018, Kauai Coffee began the certification process with Fair Trade USA. Becoming Fair Trade Certified™ was a natural extension of values that were already central to our operations. It provided an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to responsible farming and to demonstrate it through independent verification.
Our decision was also influenced by a deep sense of kuleana, or responsibility. In Hawaiʻi, caring for the land is a deeply held belief and a promise to future generations. Fair Trade certification aligns closely with that mindset by encouraging practices that support both people and the environment.
Today, our 100% Hawaiian Estate Reserve Coffees carry Fair Trade Certified™, Rainforest Alliance Certified™, and Non-GMO Project Verified seals. Together, these certifications reflect our ongoing commitment to quality, sustainability, and transparency.
What Fair Trade Means at Kauai Coffee
For us, Fair Trade certification is not simply a label on a package. It reflects how we operate every day.
Fair Trade standards address workplace safety, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and community development. Coffee farms seeking certification must meet strict requirements and participate in regular audits to maintain their standing.
Because Kauai Coffee is grown, harvested, processed, roasted, and packed under our care at our facilities on Kauai, certification helps validate the work occurring at every stage of production.
Additionally, we believe that investing in people is fundamental to building a sustainable future for our farm and our community. One of the most meaningful aspects of our certification is the role employees play in guiding community investments through our Fair Trade Committee.
Employee-Led Impact
A unique feature of Fair Trade certification is the Fair Trade Premium. With every purchase of our Fair Trade Certified™ Hawaiian Coffee, a portion is contributed to a Community Development Fund.
At Kauai Coffee, employee representatives from departments across the company serve on the Fair Trade Committee. Together, members conduct a needs assessment to identify priorities, evaluate funding requests, and determine where support can make the greatest difference. Kauai Coffee managers do not hold any positions on the committee, and decisions about distributions are made by the committee members independently of management. Through the Fair Trade Committee’s needs assessment, employees recommend how those funds are used in the community.
This employee-led approach ensures that decisions are informed by people who live and work in the community every day. It also gives employees a direct voice in programs that matter most to them and their neighbors.
Strengthening Our Community
The impact of Fair Trade extends far beyond our farm.
Over the years, Community Development Funds generated through Fair Trade sales have supported scholarships, educational programs, food security initiatives, youth programs, and nonprofit organizations serving communities across Kauai.
Since 2021, over $600,000 has been distributed to Kauai Coffee employees and more than 30 local nonprofit organizations. Recipients included schools, community service organizations, and groups working to improve quality of life across the island. These investments help address community needs while supporting organizations that understand those needs firsthand.
Each project tells a story of neighbors helping neighbors. Whether supporting local students, assisting families, or helping nonprofit organizations expand their reach, Fair Trade funds create lasting benefits throughout the Kauai Community.
Caring for the Land
As coffee growers, we understand that protecting natural resources is essential to the future of our farm. Fair Trade certification complements many of the sustainable practices already in place at Kauai Coffee.
We return composted coffee cherry pulp and mulch to the soil to maintain its health. We plant cover crops that help retain moisture while reducing weed pressure. During harvest season, we conserve water by directing it where it is needed most in the production process.
These efforts help us grow exceptional coffee while caring for the land that sustains our business and our community.
Celebrating Fair Trade Month
Consumers have more choices than ever when they shop for coffee. Fair Trade Month is a reminder that those choices can have a meaningful impact on coffee-growing communities around the world.
When you choose our Fair Trade Certified™ 100% Hawaiian Coffee, you are supporting a company that invests in its employees and contributes to projects that strengthen our island community. You are helping fund opportunities that improve lives here on Kauai. You are also supporting farming practices designed to preserve resources for future generations.
This month, we invite you to celebrate Fair Trade Month with us. Every cup supports a commitment to community, stewardship, and a brighter future for Kauai. Shop our complete collection of 100% Hawaiian Coffee online now.
