TransFair USA Unites Wal-Mart, Cafe Bom Dia and USAID

TransFair USA, a third-party independent certifier of Fair Trade Certified products, has announced that it has united the US government, Wal-Mart and Cafe Bom Dia in a three-year $1.9 million public-private agreement to support Brazilian farmers with technical training and infrastructure investment.

Aimed to improve earning potential for small-scale Brazilian farmers producing Fair Trade Certified coffee, the project connects coffee and retail experts to provide technical training on farming and business practices. In addition, USAID and Cafe Bom Dia will invest in basic farm and cooperative infrastructure needs such as offices, computer and farm equipment.

Paul Rice, CEO of TransFair USA, said: “Thanks to the support of USAID and the partnership with Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Cafe Bom Dia, thousands of family coffee farmers in Brazil will increase their capacity to produce and market high-quality Fair Trade Certified coffee in domestic and international markets. This initiative signals a real commitment by these companies to fair prices for Brazilian coffee farmers and to sustainable farming practices.”