Supporting communities through Fairtrade coffee partnerships

As Greggs marks 20 years of sourcing Fairtrade coffee, the partnership continues to support not only farming practices, but also the communities connected to them.

At the heart of Fairtrade is the Fairtrade Premium – an additional sum earned by farmers and workers, which they choose how to invest based on local priorities. Across coffee-producing regions, this investment often extends beyond the farm to support wider community infrastructure, services and long-term development.

Investing beyond the farm

In Vietnam, farmers at the Ea Kiet co-operative are using Fairtrade Premium funding to invest in projects that benefit their wider community. These include contributions to a local health centre, support for health insurance, and investment in infrastructure such as nurseries and roads.

These investments are determined by producers themselves, reflecting the needs and priorities of their local communities.

Alongside this, Fairtrade Premium funding is also used to support training on sustainable farming practices and environmental protection, supporting farmers to maintain the long-term viability of their land while strengthening their role within their communities.

Strengthening communities over time

Across the wider Fairtrade coffee supply chain, Fairtrade Premium investment is often used to support community infrastructure, education and social programmes. These types of initiatives contribute to stronger local economies and improved living conditions for farming families.

As producers can invest collectively, Fairtrade supports a more holistic approach to development – where progress is measured not only in productivity, but in the resilience and wellbeing of communities.

A partnership built on impact

Since 2006, Greggs’ Fairtrade sourcing has generated over £12 million in Fairtrade Premium, supporting producers to invest in their farms, their communities and their futures.

As we celebrate 20 years of Fairtrade coffee, our focus remains on the people behind the products – and on continuing to support partnerships that help build stronger, more resilient communities over time.