Just Us! Coffee is a Canadian fair trade coffee company that has been making waves in the industry with its commitment to social and environmental justice. For over two decades, the company has been dedicated to sourcing high-quality coffee beans from small-scale farmers around the world, while ensuring that these farmers receive a fair price for their produce. But have you ever wondered who owns Just Us! Coffee? In this article, we will delve into the history of the company, its mission, and its ownership structure, as well as explore the impact that Just Us! Coffee has had on the fair trade movement.
A Brief History of Just Us! Coffee
Just Us! Coffee was founded in 1995 by three friends, Jeff Moore, Debra Moore, and Eric St. Pierre, in Grand Pré, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company’s early days were marked by a commitment to fair trade principles, and it quickly gained a reputation as a leader in the industry. Initially, Just Us! Coffee operated as a small roaster, sourcing coffee beans from local farmers in Nova Scotia. However, as the company grew, it began to look for suppliers from around the world who shared its values and commitment to social and environmental justice.
The Fair Trade Movement
The fair trade movement, which emerged in the 1960s, aims to promote fair prices, better working conditions, and sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers and producers in developing countries. Just Us! Coffee was one of the first companies in Canada to adopt fair trade principles, and it has since become a leading advocate for fair trade in the country.
Key Principles of Fair Trade
The fair trade movement is guided by several key principles, including:
- Fair prices: Fair trade companies pay farmers a fair price for their produce, which is higher than the market price.
- Direct trade: Fair trade companies buy directly from farmers, cutting out intermediaries who often take a significant portion of the profit.
- Sustainability: Fair trade companies promote sustainable agriculture practices and ensure that farmers receive a stable income.
- Transparency: Fair trade companies are transparent in their operations and ensure that farmers have a say in decision-making processes.
The Ownership Structure of Just Us! Coffee
So, who owns Just Us! Coffee? The company is owned by its members, who are committed to the fair trade movement. Just Us! Coffee is a multi-stakeholder co-operative, which means that it is owned and controlled by its members, who include farmers, producers, and consumers.
Membership Structure
Just Us! Coffee has a unique membership structure, which includes the following categories:
- Producer members: These are small-scale farmers and producers who supply coffee beans to Just Us! Coffee.
- Consumer members: These are individuals who purchase Just Us! Coffee products and support the company’s mission.
- Worker members: These are employees of Just Us! Coffee who are committed to the fair trade movement.
Benefits of Membership
Members of Just Us! Coffee benefit from a range of advantages, including:
- Voting rights: Members have the right to vote on key decisions, including the election of the board of directors.
- Profit sharing: Members receive a share of the company’s profits, which are distributed annually.
- Access to education and training: Members have access to education and training programs, which help them develop new skills and knowledge.
Sustainability Initiatives
Just Us! Coffee is committed to sustainability and has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. These initiatives include:
- Renewable energy: Just Us! Coffee has invested in renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, to power its operations.
- Organic farming: The company promotes organic farming practices among its suppliers, which reduces the use of chemicals and pesticides.
- Fair trade certification: Just Us! Coffee is certified by Fairtrade Canada, which ensures that the company adheres to fair trade principles.
Impact of Just Us! Coffee on the Fair Trade Movement
Just Us! Coffee has had a significant impact on the fair trade movement in Canada and around the world. The company has helped to promote fair trade principles and has inspired other businesses to adopt similar practices.
Awards and Recognition
Just Us! Coffee has received numerous awards and recognition for its commitment to fair trade and sustainability, including:
- Best Coffee Roaster in Canada (2018)
- Sustainability Award (2017)
- Fair Trade Award (2016)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Just Us! Coffee is a leader in the fair trade movement, and its ownership structure is a key part of its success. The company’s commitment to social and environmental justice has inspired a loyal following of customers who share its values. As the demand for fair trade products continues to grow, companies like Just Us! Coffee are well-positioned to meet this demand and make a positive impact on the world.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Origin | Just Us! Coffee was founded in Grand Pré, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1995. |
| Ownership | Just Us! Coffee is owned by its members, who include farmers, producers, and consumers. |
| Certification | Just Us! Coffee is certified by Fairtrade Canada, which ensures that the company adheres to fair trade principles. |
Note: The table is provided for easy reference to key information about Just Us! Coffee.
Who are the owners of Just Us! Coffee?
The owners of Just Us! Coffee are Deceased, Phil Fairweather, one of the original founders and then, Deceased, 7 worker owners. Today the company is 100 % Canadian worker-owned.
When a small group of coffee lovers opened Just Us! Espresso Bar in Grand Pré in 1996, it started a new trend of fair trade and locally owned businesses in the Annapolis Valley. Soon the company ventured into a related social venture, roasting their own coffee beans for use in their three cafes and selling them in bulk to loyal customers.
What was the main objective of the founders of Just Us! Coffee?
The main objective of the founders of Just Us! Coffee was to make a positive social impact and bring about fair trade practices in the coffee industry. The founders envisioned a world where coffee producers were treated fairly and where consumers could enjoy high-quality coffee while supporting a socially responsible and sustainable business model.
Just Us! Coffee sought to challenge the conventional practices of the coffee industry by establishing long-term relationships with small-scale farmers who grew organic coffee beans using environmentally sustainable practices. The company also sought to educate consumers about the issues faced by coffee producers and to promote a culture of fair trade and sustainability.
What kind of business model does Just Us! Coffee follow?
Just Us! Coffee follows a worker-owned cooperative business model. This model allows the employee-owners to have a say in the decision-making process and to share in the profits of the company. The cooperative model also enables Just Us! Coffee to prioritize social and environmental goals alongside financial performance.
As a worker-owned cooperative, Just Us! Coffee is more than just a business – it’s a community. The employee-owners are invested in the success of the company and work together to achieve their social and environmental goals. This model has enabled Just Us! Coffee to maintain its commitment to fair trade and sustainability while remaining a competitive player in the coffee industry.
How does Just Us! Coffee source its coffee beans?
Just Us! Coffee sources its coffee beans directly from small-scale farmers in developing countries. The company has established long-term relationships with these farmers and works with them to ensure that they receive fair prices for their high-quality coffee beans. Just Us! Coffee also supports the farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices and improving their livelihoods.
Just Us! Coffee works closely with its partners to ensure that the coffee beans meet its high standards for quality and sustainability. The company conducts regular audits and monitoring to ensure that its suppliers are adhering to its fair trade and sustainability principles. By sourcing its coffee beans directly from farmers, Just Us! Coffee is able to ensure that its coffee is not only high-quality but also fair trade and sustainably sourced.
What is fair trade certification and why is it important to Just Us! Coffee?
Fair trade certification is a label that guarantees that a product meets certain fair trade standards, including fair prices, fair labor conditions, and direct trade. Just Us! Coffee is committed to fair trade certification because it reflects the company’s values of fairness, justice, and sustainability.
For Just Us! Coffee, fair trade certification is not just a label – it’s a way of doing business. The company believes that fair trade is essential for creating a more equitable and sustainable coffee industry. By supporting fair trade certified coffee, consumers can help to ensure that small-scale farmers receive fair prices for their coffee beans and that they are able to improve their livelihoods.
How does Just Us! Coffee contribute to the local community?
Just Us! Coffee contributes to the local community in a variety of ways. The company sources its milk and baked goods from local suppliers, which helps to support the local economy. Just Us! Coffee also provides a community space for local events and meetings, which helps to foster a sense of community and connection among residents.
Just Us! Coffee is also committed to supporting social and environmental causes in the local community. The company partners with local organizations to support initiatives such as environmental conservation, social justice, and education. By supporting these initiatives, Just Us! Coffee is able to make a positive impact on the community and contribute to creating a more just and sustainable world.
What is the future outlook for Just Us! Coffee?
The future outlook for Just Us! Coffee is bright. As consumers become increasingly interested in fair trade and sustainability, the company is well-positioned to meet this growing demand. Just Us! Coffee plans to continue to expand its operations and to increase its sales of fair trade certified coffee.
Just Us! Coffee also plans to continue to innovate and to stay ahead of the curve in terms of sustainability and social responsibility. The company is exploring new initiatives such as reducing its carbon footprint and increasing its use of renewable energy. With its commitment to fair trade, sustainability, and community engagement, Just Us! Coffee is well-positioned to remain a leader in the coffee industry for years to come.