FAIRTRADE, ORGANIC AND BIODEGRADABLE COFFEE CAPSULES NOW AVAILABLE
19.10.2012 - Fairtrade is delighted to introduce the latest addition to its thriving coffee offering in South Africa – Fairtrade biodegradable coffee capsules. Espresseco, the local distributor for Ethical Coffee Company, offers a range of seven capsule variants, two of which are Fairtrade and organic certified. As if this wasn’t enough to warm the hearts of conscious shoppers, these coffee capsules are made from plant-based material, which makes them entirely biodegradable. Coffee enthusiasts are guaranteed a premium coffee experience that is good for the environment and the people producing it, and it doesn’t cost the earth.
“Coffee is our fastest growing product category. With the addition of the Ethical Coffee Fairtrade capsules, we now have six Fairtrade coffee brands available locally. A bigger offering not only means greater impact for small-scale coffee farmers, but also translates in more choices available to consumers”, says Boudewijn Goossens, Executive Director of Fairtrade Label South Africa.
THE PRODUCERS
Ethical Coffee’s Fairtrade coffee beans are sourced from the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetelera Satipo Ltda (CAC Satipo) in Junín, Peru, where the coffee is grown according to ancestral coffee growing techniques. Started in 1965 by fifty small-scale coffee farmers with the aim of gaining a better bargaining position against intermediaries who paid notoriously low prices for their coffee, the co-operative now counts 945 farmer members. Since becoming Fairtrade certified in 1997, members have received higher and more stable prices for their coffee. In addition to better income, the cooperative earns a Fairtrade Development Premium, which member farmers can invest to improve their businesses and to fund social programs benefitting their communities. This has enabled CAC Satipo to set up a variety of projects, including a Credit Program for Members to help maintain their farms especially between harvests; Scholarships and Trainings for members', their children and the community at large; and Health Care and Social Services.
TRACEABILITY AND BIODEGRADABILITY
“The traceability of Fairtrade is a distinct advantage. Knowing exactly which farm our coffee is grown on is fantastic; from the farm’s location, history, owners and workers to the programmes that empower the farmers and benefit the producing communities”, say’s Robyn Farah, Operations Director of Espresseco.
When questioned about the biodegradability of the capsule, Ms Farah explains how “due to the large carbon footprint of coffee pods, traditionally made from aluminium or plastic capsules, conventional pods are often avoided by consumers. The environmentally friendly production processes of Ethical Coffee’s capsules provide a fresh, convenient way to enjoy a premium espresso. Not only are the capsules fully biodegradable, the quality of the coffee is exceptional and the used capsules make one of the best grades of garden compost.”
To add comfort to innovation, the capsules were also manufactured to be compatible with most coffee machines - including Nespresso machines.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY?
Espresseco Fairtrade, organic and biodegradable coffee capsules come in boxes of 10 capsules each. You can order online on Espresseco's website, which will deliver to your home for R54 per box if you live in Cape Town, and for R88 if you live anywhere else in South Africa.
You can also buy at these outlets:
Cape Town | Wellness Warehouse
Cape Town | Camps Bay Continental Food Market
Cape Town | Giovanni's in Green Point
Hout Bay | SuperSpar
Stellenbosch | SuperSpar
Johannesburg | Thrupps
Johannesburg | Bread Basket
If you want to stock this product in your coffee shop, online shop or store , please contact Robyn Farah, robyn@espresseco.com,
For more information about what Fairtrade coffees are available in South Africa visit our COFFEE page. To learn more about the impact of Fairtrade on small-scale farming communities, visit our PRODUCER page.