Beyond Fair: How Moyee Coffee is Striving for Living Incomes for Farmers
July 23, 20242 min read
When we started Moyee Coffee, we thought slapping a fair trade label on our bags was enough. But as we delved deeper, we realised something pretty big — that 20% FairChain premium we were so proud of? It wasn’t really making the dent we hoped for in our farmers’ lives. That hit us hard. We even changed our tag from ‘the fairest coffee company’ to the ‘least unfair coffee company’. Sounds pretty downbeat, right? But it was a wake-up call that led us to rethink everything from the ground up with our friends at the FairChain Foundation.
Living Income: More Than Just a Buzzword
So, what does a living income actually mean? It’s about ensuring that the farmers who grow our beloved beans can do more than just get by—they should thrive. Together with the FairChain Foundation, we rolled up our sleeves and worked out what a truly fair price would be—one that allows for a decent living. That’s how we came up with the Living Income Reference Price (LIRP).
Proof That Change Is Brewing
All our efforts are about demonstrating that a better way is both possible and necessary. With every decision, every process improvement, and every bean roasted, we’re steadily moving toward a world where coffee not only tastes good but also does good. One shining example of the fruits of these efforts is our upcoming Red Volcano microlot from Rugi Giathugu. These exceptional beans are products of sustainable farming and represent a direct connection to the amazing farmers whose lives are being transformed by our collective actions. Each sip offers a taste of what’s possible when we commit to true change. Our journey has connected us with incredible individuals like the farmers at the Rugi Giathugu Cooperative in Kenya. These dedicated individuals are at the forefront of sustainability, actively reshaping the future of coffee production. By embracing tree planting, enhancing waste management, and refining their coffee processes, they ensure the quality of their coffee is nothing short of top-notch. And the coffee? Absolutely stellar. With notes of peach, kiwi, and a smooth buttery finish, it’s a true testament to their hard work and our shared commitment to ethical practices. Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming "Red Volcano" microlot from this very farm, soon to be another example of how great coffee can come from great responsibility.
Ready to support our impact mission?
Join our Impact Coffee Clubhere and make an impact each and every month; order one-off coffeehere orContact Us if we can bring radically good coffee to your workplace! And for the impact geeks you can do a deeper dive into our theory of change and story to date with our2023 Impact Report.
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Greetings from the buzzing coffee fields of Mizan! While most were popping champagne corks, our team has been knee-deep in coffee cherries, quite literally shaping the future of coffee. And what a future it's shaping up to be.
