FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congressman George Miller
December 7, 2001
CONTACT: Daniel Weiss 202/225-2095

WASHINGTON - Congressman George Miller (D-CA) today urged coffee lovers around the country to begin Saturday, December 8, and every coffee day after that, with a cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee. American consumers are being encouraged to celebrate Fair Trade Coffee Day of Action and buy the blend of coffee that makes a tremendous difference to many of the world's coffee farmers and the environment.

"American consumers buy more than coffee when they choose fair trade coffee," said Miller. "Not only do they get a good cup of coffee, but they help coffee farmers invest in their families' health and education and help protect the environment. Take action this Saturday and every day by buying fair trade certified coffee. And encourage your local coffee shops and stores to sell fair trade. Let them know that you want 'the better blend.'"

Fair Trade Certified coffee farmers receive a higher price for their beans than do other coffee farmers and the coffee is often grown in a way that is less damaging to the environment than other beans, either because it is organically grown or shade-tree grown. Fair Trade guarantees that farmers receive $1.26 a pound for coffee, a huge improvement from the International Coffee Organization composite price of 43 cents per pound. And these farmers do not split their price with a middleman as do most coffee farmers.

Approximately five percent of the coffee sold in the United States is now fair trade certified beans, and the amount is rising as it gains greater attention.

Miller said that it is more important than ever for companies and consumers to start switching over to fair trade certified coffee, noting that world coffee prices are the lowest they have ever been. "Buying fair trade certified coffee helps struggling farmers around the world," Miller said, "and the increased stability and economic security in local villages that fair trade prices bring is of value not just to the local farming communities but all of us."

Miller, a leading congressional advocate for fair wages, has become a leading voice on fair trade coffee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Working with his colleague, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Miller is close to getting the food vendor for the House of Representatives to sell only fair trade certified Starbucks coffee, instead of the Starbucks House Blend now sold. Miller also just signed a letter from members of Congress to major coffee roasters and buyers to encourage them to incorporate sustainable coffees into their product lines.

"The impoverished wages of coffee farmers goes into every cup of coffee we drink, unless it is fair trade certified coffee," Miller said. "Buying fair trade blend at any number of suppliers throughout California and the country is a unique opportunity to improve basic human rights, improve environmental conditions, and enjoy a good strong cup of coffee at the same time.

"I applaud the organizers of Saturday's fair trade coffee day of action and hope that it is a resounding success at raising awareness of the importance, quality, and availability of fair trade certified coffee," Miller said.