The Union Relationship is our model for creating direct, transparent and sustainable relationships with coffee farmers globally, allowing us to source the highest quality Arabica beans. It encompasses:
Transparency
Education & Training
Pre-harvest trade credit
Exceptional quality
We pay coffee farmers a price that exceeds their cost of production enabling them to invest in their farms, and livelihoods. We believe this sustainably grown coffee doesn’t just improve the life of farmers it gives you a superior cup of coffee.
The UNION model is a powerful mechanism for international development because it involves our participation in a stakeholder capacity, not simply as a buyer. It is based on the knowledge we obtain from assessment of farmers needs to enable them to compete in the marketplace and provide us with high quality coffee.
We purchase coffee produced on farms that we visit, grown by farmers committed to our core principles:
• Coffee quality must be exceptional.
• Fully transparent payments to the farmer or producer association, above the Fairtrade
minimum price.
• Sound environmental practices.
• Ethical social values.
• Union Hand-Roasted, or a nominated professional representative, visits the farm or producer
association to undertake a social audit, monitor quality during the harvest and honour their
achievements.
