On the morning of Wednesday, May 13, an estimated 20,000 T riders will be rewarded for their environmentally-friendly decision to use public transportation. Volunteers from TransFair USA, the non-profit that certifies Fair Trade Certified products in the United States, will distribute free coupons to be redeemed for hot or iced Fair Trade Certified Green Mountain Coffee at Bruegger’s Bakery-Cafés, plus a coupon worth $2.50 off a package of Green Mountain Coffee at local grocery stores.
Commuters can find the volunteers from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at seven T stations including: South Station, Kenmore, Porter Square, Longwood, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, and Back Bay.
Bruegger’s is among more than 700 national restaurants and cafes that offer Fair Trade Certified products, meaning farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are paid fair prices for their products and that crops are raised with environmentally sustainable agriculture techniques.
“Bruegger’s continues to look for new ways to encourage our customers to make environmentally-conscious decisions, including our choice to serve Green Mountain Coffee’s Fair Trade Certified brews in our 290 neighborhood bakery-cafes,” says James J. Greco, CEO of Bruegger’s. “The MBTA and TransFair USA are terrific community partners that provide an outlet for those who have committed to a more sustainable commute.”
“Bruegger’s is an ideal partner for us–a major chain that now pours Green Mountain Coffee’s Fair Trade Certified coffee in all its bakeries,” says Paul Rice, president and CEO of TransFair USA. “This means more money is making it back to farmers and farm workers in the developing world. We are grateful to the MBTA, Green Mountain Coffee, and Bruegger’s for the opportunity to thank Boston commuters for their commitment to a more sustainable way of life.”
“We take pride in being a transit system dedicated to protecting the environment and advocating sustainability efforts,” says MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas. “This is a great opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving the environment.”
“Green Mountain Coffee has had a long-standing commitment to Fair Trade principles, and we welcome the opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of Fair Trade Certified coffees to coffee producers and their communities,” says Susan Cote, Director of Brand Marketing for GMCR’s Specialty Coffee business unit. “We’re proud to contribute our coffee as part of this great team effort to celebrate Boston area T riders.”
