Think your choice of morning java could change the world? You can influence global economics and impact the environment with each cup. That's why we feel so strongly about Ethically Traded coffee. We are also proud to announce that Chat Noir Books is now carrying coffee from Las Chicas Del Cafe along with our regular suppliers Reunion Island.

The development of Fair Trade came out of an urgent need to help small-scale farmers earn a decent living for their efforts. It works in two ways. One, it sets a guaranteed minimum price for the coffee. And two, it helps eliminate the middlemen by dealing more directly with farmer-owned co-operatives.

“Fair Trade is an international system of doing business based on dialogue, transparency and respect. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions for producers and workers in developing countries. Behind the principles and goals of Fair Trade is a rigorous international system of monitoring, auditing and certification.” (from transfair.ca)

Fairly traded coffee suppliers bypass the Wall Street dealings and pay a fair price to coffee farmers for their product no matter what the stock exchange is doing.