I've been doing a bit of research into coffee as I'm organising a coffee festival next year. From my many discussions with the coffee industry it would appear their are quite a few other initiatives that provide better financial gain to the grower than Fair trade. Not sure what my view is on this but the cup of excellence and rain forest alliance are two initiatives that seem to carry more favour. Any info, thoughts would be useful

Direct Trade is your best bet, if you want direct trade coffee where no one is involved but the farmer, roaster and you drinking coffee, check out asgreenasitgets.org . Fair trade is a step in the right direction, but unfortunately does include several middle men. So, to put it in $$ terms, if you buy folgers, about 15 cents per pound goes to the farmer, fair trade about $1.40 per pound, and in direct trade with us, all 8$ goes to the farmer, only shipping is to the shipper.

Thanks Greeny will check out your site. Have a look at ours bathcoffeefestival.co.uk.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1926007,00.html

This article from Time Magazine a couple weeks ago was pretty interesting-all about Fair Trade...check it out.