Miguel and Laura are both members of their community cooperative. Over the last 5 years, Miguel and Laura estimate that they have more than doubled their annual income as a result of fair trade. Farmer by farmer, fair trade coffee has made a tangible difference in peoples' lives throughout the world. Children gain access to medical care where none existed before. With money in their parent's pockets, they can go to school.
Infrastructure is built.
Progress against poverty is made. Benefits to the environment By all accounts, these trading relationships are successes with respect to generating pure economic returns for families that need it the most, and nurturing invaluable, powerful, long-term relationships. And such success can be replicated in coffee growing countries throughout the world and for other products, from bananas to tea. It can be replicated from Asia to Africa. It can make differences in people's lives immediately.