K&D Coffee Inc. Is Working Towards Rebuilding Professional and Consumer Relationships After Allegations of Unethical Practices.

 

The hashtag #alwaysfair has been trending on social media as the Atlanta based coffee retailer K&D Coffee Inc. has been accused of allegedly not working with farmers to produce fair trade coffee beans, but rather with suppliers who have a reputation for using unethical practices to produce their coffee beans. K&D Coffee Inc. has stated that their mission as a company is to support fair trade while advertising high quality coffee beans to their conscious customers, and that they will investigate the situation while keeping consumers, employees and stockholders informed as they obtain information from their investigation.

A barista serves customers fresh pressed coffee supplied by K&D Coffee Inc.

What is Fair trade?

Fairtrade businesses partner with farmers and crafts people in developing countries who are socially and economically marginalized in finding markets and customers for their goods. Fair trade helps farmers to obtain sustainable economic status for both their families and communities. To become a fair-trade affiliate, a business must be audited by a certified fair-trade organization after submitting an application. If approved the company must submit a list of products that will be certified as fair trade. The cost of becoming fair trade certified varies and depends on the products you want to sell and how much. K&D Coffee Inc. has been certified since its inception in 2000, and has made it clear that costs have no impact on the company’s support of fair trade.

K&D Coffee Inc. has addressed the details of the claims with their employees by issuing a solution to rectify the matter, and that they will take responsibility for any wrong doing on their part. K&D Coffee Inc. has stated that they will focus on training and adding new leadership to help rebuild trust with employees which to restore the company’s transparent work culture. The company has assured its stockholders that they have taken measures to prove the allegations are untrue by obtaining statements from Fair Trade Certified which will contain the company’s applications and audit reports with current dates of coffee bean production.

 K&D Coffee Inc.'s leadership is working to rebuild trust between leadership and employees.

                               

K&D Coffee Inc., has stated that their employees and fair-trade affiliates are at the core of their success and that their customers are their greatest support. K&D believes that their customers share the same vision of giving back and that they are aware that the claims have left consumers feeling disappointed. K&D insists that they have not moved from their beliefs, but will assume responsibility of any wrong doing on their part. The company has taken to social media addressing the claims and promising their customers that they will correct the problem immediately.

K&D Coffee Inc.'s CEO addressed the allegations on Facebook Live.