We have found that the best way to ensure our access to fine coffees is to develop direct relationships with farmers and to pay a fair and sustainable price for coffee. Each year when our coffee buyer and other staff visit farms and cooperatives, they verify crop and working conditions and meet with farmers to develop strong working partnerships. We also work closely with trusted importers that travel regularly to origin and update us on the conditions of the region and its farms and workers. Improving the lives of farmers and the quality of the land is the key to continuing the availability of extraordinary coffees and we continually work to establish good and equitable relationships with people throughout the supply chain.