Level Ground Trading Ltd. is focussed on making a difference and bringing economic freedom and sustainability to the farmers and co-ops they buy from.
Level Ground Trading’s model for trading draws from standards set by the International Fair Trade Association and the Fair Trade Labeling Organization, and also from dialogue and experiences with producers and cooperatives.
By removing middlemen, and investing time and money to open the lines of communication with producers and producer cooperatives, Level Ground Trading establishes trade relationships and transactions that honor and reflect the diversity of needs in each producer region. Without going direct to the farmers and farming cooperatives we run the risk of generalizing the needs of producers and potentially providing them with prices or premiums that are insufficient. In reflection of this, Level Ground Trading has consistently paid above and beyond the FLO minimum price for coffee. Shade-grown is also bird-friendlier. The higher canopy trees that provide shade for the South American coffees, house many birds – even migratory birds from North America.
Most of our roasts are either certified organic or naturally grown (uncertified but grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides.) Much of Level Gound’s coffee is also shade grown. Shaded coffee is slower growing and produces a denser bean than full sun coffees. A denser bean can handle darker roasts without tasting burned or charred like the less dense coffee beans.
We love being associated with Level Ground Trading. The founders’ passion for caring for the producers of their coffee, and the business model that have developed, gives us the confidence that our coffee consumption is contributing to economic freedom for farmers that are typically exploited by the very industry they serve.
JustUs! Coffee Roasters Co-op(a play on the word justice) has a strong belief in the combination of high quality coffee and Fair Trade.
JustUs is a progressive and leading Fair Trade business which serves as a model for worker (community) ownership and social and environmental responsibility.
“Fair Trade” is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.
They have developed personal and long-term relationships with the indigenous communities that adhere to the basic principles of Fair Trade, but even more than that, they strive to help the farmers move beyond the poverty level.
Father Fronz Vanderhoff (a Dutch worker priest living in Mexico), the father of Fair Trade in Canada, says, “Fair Trade is important because it is a dignifying process of empowerment to break the cycle of poverty.”
They are committed to education, innovation and collaboration for the benefit of all. JustUs is actively involved with Fair Trade organizations and raising awareness.
They also give a minimum of 10% of their profits to their producer co-ops.