At Alternative Grounds, we began by roasting only fairly traded coffees. That was five years ago, and there was little attention paid to fairtrade and why it was important. It wasn't until 1998 that Fair TradeMark Canada, an independent fairtrade licensing and regulatory body, came into being. We were proud to be one of the first licensees, and proud of our contribution to a growing awareness of fairtrade and freshly roasted coffee. None of this would have happened, if it weren't important to you! In fact, your growing awareness lead to a new home for our roaster and a new look for our cafe! No more stopping traffic on Roncesvalles while loyal customers and a neighbouring shopkeeper helped unload 152 lb coffee bags, 1 bag at a time, in through the front door and then down to the basement! Hooray for loading dock doors and a pallet wagon!!