About Us
Read about our commitment to Fair-Trade and our pursuit of B Corp Certification
WE MADE A BIG MISTAKE & IT CHANGED EVERYTHING
HOW WE RE-DIRECTED OUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
HOW WE FAILED OUR FAIR-TRADE PARTNERS
In January of 2020, an internal investigation confirmed that our company, Uncommon Grounds Coffee, which has always prided itself on its ethical supply chain and dedication to social responsibility, purchased some of our beans through big coffee suppliers and not from farmers through fair-trade. We took full responsibility for this because we understood that the decisions made affected our partnering farmers, their families and communities. But we also knew an apology wasn’t enough…. It was time for a change and a big one.
“But we also knew
an apology wasn’t enough ….
It was time for a change
and a big one.”
“We had to re-establish that connection
so our employees could see what our founders saw …
the faces behind the numbers”
When our company was founded, it was committed to being socially responsible. As a result, it formed fair-trade partnerships and was involved in many corporate community service projects. We had drifted far from our original intent. We looked back at why our founding partners were so passionate and we realized something very important. They visited the farms. They knew the farmers. They had played with their children. As a result, they understood the impact of their decisions. Somewhere along the way, we had lost that connection. We had stopped visiting and saw numbers where faces should be.
We failed our farmers, but we realized our mistake was even bigger. We had failed our employees here too. We, as a company, have an obligation to ensure the proper education of our employees so they understand that decisions made directly affect people of our partnering fair-trade farms. We knew we had to re-establish that connection, so they could see what our founders could see … the faces behind the numbers.
FAIR TRADE DEFINITION
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 – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. (Fair Trade, 2018)
OUR NEW GOAL: B CORP CERTIFICATION
Once we really understood the magnitude of our error, we did what any normal people would do, we had a cup of coffee. A bit of a joke, but as it was handed out someone laughed, “Drink Responsibly”. And it that moment, it crystalized. We knew we wanted to do just that. We wanted to give Uncommon Grounds purpose and meaning. We wanted to make working here less of a job and more of a mission. As we talked, I knew the decision was the right one. I saw the excitement light up in the eyes around the table. I could feel the thrum of the energy; we knew we could do this.
As a result of that conversation, and many others which followed, we decided not only to re-dedicate ourselves to the precepts our founders based this company upon, but to honor them by taking their intent to the next level in a structured way. The best way to do that was to strive to receive B Corp Certification. Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good. (BCorporation.net) We want to belong to this community.
We know that by working with our employees and our partners in fair trade, we can begin to make a genuine difference in local communities. We also know it will not be easy to make this transition. But we are up for the challenge. It is our goal to achieve this within 5 years. In fact, we have started already.
STEP 1: INCREASING TRANSPARENCY & EMPLOYEE KNOWLEDGE
First and foremost, we needed to increase the transparency of the origin of our coffee. By scanning the new QR code emblazoned on the package, consumers are directed to a blog which provides with specific information about the farm. The blog explains the farm’s location and is provided with proof it is part of the fair-trade community. Consumers will be able to view images of the plantation/cooperative, read about corporate community service projects and read an interview with the farmer who explains the difference it has made to be a part of the fair-trade community.
These blogs are written by our employees who visit the plantations and meet with our farming partners. In turn, they begin to have a much deeper understanding of the importance of fair-trade and the true social responsibility of companies which, when done properly, which is our goal, is beneficial to all.
Scroll down and browse through our blogs to the profiles of our farms. It will give you a much deeper understanding of the artistry within each cup and how its purchase has benefitted the local community just as the much as it has the one presented with a steaming cup.
Our Fair-Trade Partners
To ensure our employees understand the importance of the Uncommon Ground’s commitment to the Fair Trade movement, they visit the plantations, and discover what Fair-Trade practices have meant to the farmers and their community. These blogs record the experience and are written by the visiting employees.
They can also be accessed by the QR code on Uncommon Grounds packaging which allows our customers to see exactly where their coffee comes from and why supporting fair trade matters.
The Power of the Black Powder: Fair-Trade Success
By Sam Carmichael, Purchasing Agent THE BLANDÓN FARM – SAN LORENZO FAIR-TRADE COOPERATIVE It is early morning and the mist still hangs low in the hills of San Lorenzo, Columbia. Walking quietly up the dusty, well-worn paths I can hear the colorful birds begin to call...
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Call Us
(+880) 123 456 7898
(+880) 123 456 7898
Email Us
contact@ucgcoffee.com
ucgcoffee@gmail.com