Almost all coffee roasters claim they “work with farmers” but few can back the promise.

For a coffee to be considered Intelligentsia Direct Trade, there is a specific list of criteria that must be met by both Intelligentsia and their grower-partners.  In the broadest terms, these coffees should be understood as a true collaboration, with both sides investing a great deal of time, energy and ideas to produce something great.  This is what the Direct Trade Coffee process entails:

1.  Prices to growers are at least 25% above fair trade prices
2.  Growers are committed to healthy environmental practices
3.  There has to be exceptional coffee quality
4.  There must be at least one Intelligentsia farm visit each harvest season
5.  Transparency in all financial matters
6.  The growers must be committed to sustainable social practices.

At the end of this process, the coffee farmer who grows an award-winning cup is an artisan and should be regarded as such.  They belive human effort is the most critical factor in quality coffee and that the growers who do the best work should get the best price and individual recognition.