Updated September 2026. Original post here.
Here at Equator Coffee Roasters we believe in Fair Trade. But it’s not enough to just say that we do. So in this post we’re going to show you exactly how we ensure we practice Fair Trade via Fair Trade Proof.
What Is Fair Trade Proof?
Fair Trade Proof is a website that transparently shares our contract pricing to reveal how we pay a fair price for our coffees when we, and other companies, make our purchases from Cooperative Coffees (1).
This transparency levels the playing field for all those involved in the coffee-making process, from small-scale farmers to producers of coffee, especially when this coffee is grown in developing countries. When the truth is readily accessible by anyone, everyone can do their part to make fairness the norm.
For more information on our, and Cooperative Coffees', deep commitment to a higher trading standard, use the Fair Trade Proof website tool. It allows you to trace any of the coffee beans you purchase from Equator Coffee Roasters from farmer to roaster. Just navigate to our Almonte location’s member map and explore. Every piece of documentation is laid out in a clear and easily understandable way.
And to learn more about why we believe in Fair Trade, check out our post here.
What Is Cooperative Coffees?
"A community of coffee roasters setting the standard for transparent trade, committed to investing in the lives and livelihoods of the producers we work with."
Cooperative Coffees is a collective of independent roasters with a focus on green coffee importing (2). It was founded in 1997 by Bill Harris and officially established as it is today in 1999. Ten years later, the cooperative consisted of 23 roasters spanning the continent from the Yukon to Florida’s panhandle.
This cooperative abides by the following IFAT Fair Trade standard: “Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.”
All of Cooperative Coffees' members are dedicated to Fair Trade exporting. They have a long standing relationship between roasters and small-scale coffee farmers, and their assurance of paying them fair prices is only the beginning of their partnership. They are completely open about all of their documents, from pre-shipment quality evaluation to farmer invoice, farmer bill of lading, landed cupping evaluation, organic transaction, roaster invoice, and roaster delivery details. Their trade model entails the dissemination of information, pre-financing, and working together for higher coffee quality with a balanced business conduct.
To learn more, check out the detailed document from Cooperative Coffees here.
Cooperative Coffees is Fair Trade Certified, Organic Certified, SPP Certified, and a Fair Trade Federation Member.
References:
- Cooperative Coffees. (n.d.). TRACE YOUR BEANS FROM FARMER TO ROASTER. Retrieved September 28, 2026, from https://fairtradeproof.com/
- CoopCoffees. (n.d.). About Us Retrieved September 28, 2026, from https://coopcoffees.com/about-us