Fairtrade Canada Presents Doi Chaang With Licensee of the Year Award

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - September 18, 2015) - Fairtrade Canada today announced Vancouver-based Doi Chaang Coffee Co. has been awarded Licensee of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to promoting the Fairtrade systems and certified products. Since founded in 2006, Doi Chaang has supported farmers living and working in a northern Thailand village with steady access to running water, electricity and improved infrastructure.

"We're proud to be a family-owned business that allows us to give back and support our global community," said John M. Darch, co-founder of Doi Chaang Coffee. "Our relationship with the Doi Chang Village farmers stemmed from our desire to help a community that, despite their dedication and determination, have not been successful in helping themselves."

Doi Chaang has an equal partnership with Doi Chang village, in northern Thailand, meaning its farmers receive 50 per cent of the company's profits. While Fairtrade partnerships provide fair working environments, wages and labour rights, Doi Chaang goes a step further by providing 50 per cent ownership to the workers involved, which they've coined Beyond Fair Trade®.

"Our sustainable sourcing model has enabled us to distribute to the eastern market which will help the Doi Chang Village continue to thrive," said Darch. "Our customers are investing in the welfare of the farming families in Thailand, enhancing their standard of living, health care, education and cultural heritage and identity," says Darch.

Doi Chaang coffee is available in Single-Estate roasts, Blends and biodegradable Keurig-compatible, single serve aroma cups in independent and major retailers across the country including Choices, Safeway, Thrifty's, Longo's, Sobeys and FreshCo. For more information please visit: www.doichaangcoffee.com.

About Doi Chaang Coffee Company Inc.:
Doi Chaang Coffee Company is one of the most innovative, socially responsible, yet economically viable, specialty coffees on the market. Rated among the top 1% in the world, the coffee is the only single-estate, 100% Arabica, USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified and shade grown coffee grown in Thailand. The beans are cultivated and processed by the indigenous AKHA hill tribe in small, family owned gardens in Doi Chang Village located in the Chang Rai Province of Northern Thailand, but freshly roasted and packaged in B.C. For more information, visit http://www.doichaangcoffee.com/.