The path from the farm to your morning cup
Total Transparency makes fairness possible because it makes hiding the truth impossible. Fair Trade networks from IFAT and FLO to the Fair Trade Federation places transparency on the list of essential Fair trade standards and criteria.
By being fully transparent on both sides of the supply chain, both trust and equality can enter the equation in the formation of a true partnership. Bean North wanted to go above and beyond in demonstrating our level of commitment to Fair Trade, and thus to transparency. We are proud to be involved with Fair Trade Proof, an online transparency tool that allows the user to view every piece of paperwork involved in bringing coffee from farmer to roaster. Without proof, anyone can say anything. This site is part of our effort to provide total transparency in the coffee importation process.
The website allows the user to do several different things. First, they can explore what all the documentation means. Never heard of a Bill of Lading, and its significance in importing goods? We lay each step out for you so that you can understand where it fits in with the rest of the story.
Once you have a firm grasp of what all the documentation represents, you can start to trace your particular cup of coffee. You can do this in one of two ways. First, go to fairtradeproof.org and choose Bean North from the list of roaster members. Next, take a look at the bottom of your pound of fresh roasted coffee, you will notice a sticker with 2 sets of of numbers. The 4 digit number is the lot code you you want. By simply entering the 4 digit number, you will see all of the paperwork appear for that specific blend or variety of coffee. Alternatively, you can also trace your coffee by farm co-op. If you know your coffee came from Fondo Paezl in Colombia, simply choose it from the drop-down list, and you will see all the lots that they have exported to us, and as well as a profile of the coop.
We at Bean North believe that being a self-proclaimed and widely-recognized Fair Trade company means that we need to honestly and openly fulfill every aspect of Fair Trade, which, as you can see, is much more than just a higher price. First and foremost, Fair Trade is a long-term, equitable partnership between farmers and roasters. Total transparency allows all actors to operate at the same level, without concealing anything, which is an essential part of what Fair Trade should and can be.
Please take look around fairtradeproof.org and tell us what you think. As consumers, retailers, roasters, importers, or producers, we need to start demanding higher levels of transparency from the world around us and decide to be better informed. With truth (and proof of the truth), comes the power to make things better. This online tool strives to provide a step in that direction.
