Anne Winship from Bean Fair: Celebrating 30 Years of Fairtrade Canada
CV
by Catherine Vidal
To celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade in Canada, we sat down with pioneers of the movement to hear the stories behind their businesses, learn about their relationships with farmers, and discover their hopes and dreams for the future.
This is Anne Winship, Owner at Bean Fair.
The Café Bean Fair Coffee team – Anne and son Angus Winship at their stand at the Marché Wakefield Market 2023
Established in 1997, Bean Fair was one of the first ten Fairtrade licensees in Canada. Anne Winship’s journey with the business began unexpectedly at the Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market, where she encountered the original owners of Bean Fair and tried their coffee — it was love at first taste. Her passion for the product led to her acquiring the company for a small sum when the original owners decided to move on to other projects. With a one-year-old son and an unrenewed editing contract, the timing seemed perfect and the opportunity was too good to pass up. And while Anne couldn’t see herself selling many things, she knew she could sell ethical coffee successfully, thus starting her dual role as entrepreneur and advocate for Fairtrade and sustainability.
It was hilarious because when I got the list of customers, I realized I was one of the biggest customers they had!
The Evolution of Fairtrade
When Anne took over Bean Fair, the Fairtrade and organic landscape in Canada was relatively barren, with limited awareness and options available to consumers. Anne’s efforts focused on educating the public and increasing awareness about Fairtrade. She leveraged the strong community support in Wakefield, Quebec, where people were receptive to global movements and ethical consumerism. Through tastings and personal advocacy, Anne helped establish a market for Fairtrade coffee in her town, emphasizing that ethical choices should not compromise quality. (Pictured:Anne with son Angus and their first delivery of Fairtrade coffee beans; Wakefield, 2000)
It comes down to good taste. It has to taste good — people aren’t going to do something just for the cause.
Wakefield La Pêche: Quebec’s First Fair Trade Town
Under Anne’s leadership, Wakefield La Pêche became the first Fair Trade Town in Quebec, a milestone achieved through collaboration with various community members, including schools, churches, and environmental activists. Inspired by efforts in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada’s first Fair Trade Town, this initiative celebrated Bean Fair’s 10th anniversary. The Fair Trade Town designation brought a sense of pride to the community, reinforced through educational outreach in schools and visible signage. Despite challenges in maintaining momentum, particularly during the pandemic, Anne continues to engage newcomers and sustain the Fair Trade Town initiative through farmers’ markets, social media, and various events. (Pictured: Preparing for the Wakefield, La Pêche Fair Trade Town entry in Wakefield’s Canada Day Parade 2023)
Someone from Fairtrade Canada came up with me and we met with the mayor and they were keen — they liked the idea of the recognition. In fact, La Pêche is a bigger municipality and they said they would go forward with the designation if it was for all of La Pêche and not just for Wakefield!
Environmental Activism and Sustainability
Anne’s commitment to Fairtrade is deeply intertwined with her environmental activism. Partnering with Taking Root, a respected carbon offset organization, Bean Fair became the first coffee business in the region to achieve carbon-neutral status. Anne also promotes environmental conservation by ensuring that her coffee is shade-grown, which protects bird habitats. (Pictured: Tropical Bird Anne at the Wakefield, La Pêche Fair Trade Town event as part of the Marché Wakefield Market; May 2024
I’ve always been kind of an environmental activist — that’s one of the reasons Fairtrade interested me. And, you know, just promoting Fairtrade is activism in itself!
Relationships with Coffee Farmers and Cooperatives
Anne sources Bean Fair’s coffee through a broker in Montreal. She focuses on small, predominantly indigenous, Fairtrade, and organic producers, prioritizing cooperatives that maintain ancestral land to reflect her commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices. These relationships are fundamental to Bean Fair’s mission and ensure that the coffee not only meets high-quality standards, but also supports marginalized communities.
I traveled down to visit coffee producers in Bolivia about 8 years ago. It was really gratifying to hear them say that Fairtrade revenues actually make a difference!
Anne in Bolivia with a Crossroads Canada trip to meet coffee farmers (2017)
So Anne, as we celebrate 30 years of Fairtrade in Canada, what are your hopes for Fairtrade 30 years from now?
I hope there are a ton more Fairtrade products to choose from so that people have an easier time buying and supporting Fairtrade.
