Montana Coffee Traders roasts and sells fresh
coffee in a manner that respects and supports the community and land that
sustains us. We care about the people who grow our coffee and the environment
that supports them. By maintaining close relationships with the farmer and
others in the supply chain, we share in knowledge of operations such as farming
practices, water treatment, employment practices & community programs.
Organic
Approximately, one-third of the coffee we
source and roast is organic. Coffee farmers that are able to
maintain an organic certification make a high level of commitment to ensure
their coffees are grown without the use of chemical pesticides or herbicides. The
practice of organic farming is a win for the farmer, family and community. Over
time, this practice has shown to increase bean quality, warranting a higher
premium for product while promoting positive land stewardship practices. Organic
farming has led to better farming practices for the community overall via
education & experience around growing food healthfully, eventually leading
to greater food security.
Being an organic
certified coffee roaster provides our customers the confidence in traceability
of production and processing, with the assurance that the organic coffee they
are drinking is produced in a manner they can trust.
Fair Trade
In supporting Fair Trade certified farmers,
we stand with a global community to demand higher standards and increased
quality of life for everyone. Fair Trade
could be viewed as human & community sustainability; through this trade route, prices
are regulated to ensure equitable contracts and sustainable farming practices
are mandated and rewarded.
Farmers that are part of the Fair Trade organization benefit through
their membership to the cooperative, the Fair Trade organization & premium
dollars they receive from the sale of their coffee.
Farm Direct
Through
our own sourcing, we have built direct relationships with farmers at many
origins. "Farm Direct" is a partnership in which the roaster buys
directly from the producer rather than from a broker. This aids the buyer’s
ability to negotiate with the farmer on more realistic terms and farmer’s
needs. "Farm Direct"
negotiations promote the buyer to pay a fair price, usually associated with the
cost to produce coffee, and sometimes geared towards investing in farm and mill
improvements. The “Farm Direct” purchasing model allows for both the farmer
and roaster to receive mutual benefits from this nurtured relationship.
Fair Trade and Farm
Direct Premiums contribute to:
-
Connection to an international market which leads to
increased production & sales
-
Income sustainability to ensure there is money to invest in
their lives and their work
-
Empowerment to make the right choices for themselves &
their community; gives them a voice!
-
Individual and community well-being are improved by having
the power to decide how to invest the
Premium based on their community's greatest needs, such as: clean water,
education, healthcare, toilets, and air conditioned break areas
Community Values and Sustainability
Wanting
to be a positive part of people’s everyday lives, there are four cornerstones
we strive for in our effort to be role models and partners to our vendors,
customers and community.
● Education
○ Thorough employee coffee
education (barista training, coffee 101, origin presentations)
○ Free Public Roastery Tours
○ Free Public Coffee Cuppings
○ In-cafe coffee tasting &
brewing equipment demos (just ask!)
○ Partnership Coffee: a percentage
of proceeds from Cafe Monteverde sales
● Community
○ Approx $10K in annual
donations to local non-profit organizations via auction items & coffee
services
○ Partnership Coffee: a percent
of proceeds from the MTPR/YPR Blends
● Environment & Land
Stewardship
○ Local food sourcing
○ Composting in cafes and
compost grounds for community members
○ Partnership Coffee: a percent
of proceeds from the Trailblazer & Grizzly Blends
● Health
○
Community Coffee Day’s to
support organizations such as Abbie Shelter
○ Partnership Coffee: a percent
of proceeds from the Shepard’s Hand Blend
Africa
