CANTON, Mass. (October 13, 2005) - As the first national brand to sell espresso beverages made exclusively with Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, Dunkin' Donuts, America's number one retailer of coffee-by-the-cup, continues to support coffee quality and sustainability amid troubling times for many coffee farmers and is proud to promote the 2nd annual National Fair Trade Month. TransFair USA, the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade Certified™ products in the US, has proclaimed October as National Fair Trade Month in recognition of the growing nationwide demand for Fair Trade drinks and food.
Since 2003, beans for Dunkin' Donuts regular espresso beverages, including cappuccino and latte, are certified through TransFair USA. The Fair Trade model guarantees farmers a fair price for each pound, of coffee As a result, farmers who sell fair trade coffee are able to provide for their families and encouraged to invest in quality coffee crops.
"Dunkin' Donuts is committed to delivering on its promise to help farmers in coffee producing regions to receive a fair price for their coffee," said John Gilbert, vice president of marketing, Dunkin' Donuts. "Dunkin' Donuts Fair Trade Certified purchases represent approximately $1.5M in income for thousands of farmers."
"As one of the country's largest purchasers of 100% fair trade espresso coffee, Dunkin' Donuts is a great example of a key industry leader that embraces the Fair Trade model and realizes the significant role it plays in helping to solve the problems that are driving today's coffee farmers out of business," said Paul Rice, CEO and President of TransFair USA.
The goal of Fair Trade Month is to expand the Fair Trade movement in the U.S. overall, with different organizations promoting their own areas of involvement, and encourage Fair Trade in every way possible. Fair Trade Month will be marked by a diverse array of events from gourmet food tastings to presentations by Fair Trade farmers, to discussion panels and movie showings. For more information events occurring during Fair Trade Month, please visit: www.transfairusa.org/content/support/fairtrademonth05.php.
About Dunkin' Donuts
Founded in 1950, today Dunkin' Donuts is the number one retailer of coffee-by-the-cup in America, selling 2.7 million cups a day, nearly one billion cups a year. Dunkin' Donuts is also the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world and sells more donuts, coffee, and bagels than any other quick service restaurant in America. Dunkin' Donuts has more than 6,100 shops in 30 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, is the sole Fair Trade certification organization in the U.S. Its rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to market, verifies industry and farmer compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair authorizes companies to display the Fair Trade Certified label on products that meet this high standard. TransFair USA is part of a global certification network with a 15-year history of success in over 60 countries. In addition to coffee, TransFair also certifies Fair Trade tea, chocolate, bananas and other fresh fruit. To learn more, visit: www.transfairusa.org.
