VIA Rail to serve “fair trade” coffee

Through a partnership with an organization called TransFair Canada, VIA Rail announced in late June that it will offer only “fair trade” coffee that meets strict environmental and trade standards.

Farmers that produce the coffee often receive double the revenue of traditional coffee growers. “Offering fair trade certified coffee to VIA customers is one component in VIA's goal of being a socially and environmentally responsible transportation company," Paul Côté, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA, in the rail line’s June announcement.

TransFair is a Montreal-based not-for-profit certification body for fair-trade products sold in Canada.