Wake Up to Ethically-Sourced Coffees from BJ’s Wholesale Club

For Fair Trade Month, BJ’s Expands Fair Trade Certified™ Selection with 11 Wellsley Farms Coffee Varieties
Oct 1, 2015 11:00 AM ET

In honor of October’s Fair Trade Month, BJ’s Wholesale Club announces today the expansion of its Fair Trade Certified™ selection to include 11 ground and whole bean coffee varieties from its own brand Wellsley Farms™.

“From the lush mountains of Indonesia to the highlands of Guatemala, we travel the world to deliver Fair Trade Certified™ coffee to our Members while ensuring farmers receive fair-minded prices for their harvests,” said Melissa O’Brien, coffee buyer for BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Working with farmers that respect their land and their workers is the foundation for producing high-quality Wellsley Farms Coffee. All coffees are made from 100% Arabica beans from the current crop year only – carry-over beans are never used.  Size, color, defects and freshness at picking are also carefully inspected. After fresh harvested beans pass a visual test, a sample is roasted. Once approved, only then will they become Wellsley Farms beans.

“With coffee farmers typically not having much land to support their whole family, by sourcing Fair Trade, we’re increasing the amount of money the farmers are receiving to help improve their social, economic and environmental conditions,” said Scott Williams, assistant vice president of quality assurance and environmental stewardship for BJ’s Wholesale Club. “On top of the Fair Trade price, farmers also receive a Premium, which is an additional fund for them to use to build schools, purchase medical supplies or use as they see fit for their communities.”

Wellsley Farms Coffee Highlights

  • Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee – A great way to start the day is with a cup of this signature, medium roast of 100% Arabica beans and a rich warm aroma!
  • Organic Sumatra Estate Whole Bean Coffee – For a uniquely earthy yet fruity flavor, this medium dark roast of 100% Arabica brew is sourced from the Selected Sumatra Estates in Indonesia.
  • Colombian Supremo Whole Bean Coffee – Classic, sweet flavor with a crisp finish makes this medium dark roast of 100% Arabica beans a real crowd-pleaser!
  • Guatemalan French Roast Whole Bean Coffee – A dark roast with a full body and 100% Arabica beans, this makes for a bold choice in the morning.

"BJ's Wholesale Club is not only a company that offers high-quality coffee, it's also a company with a uniquely authentic commitment to the people who grow it," said Jennifer Gallegos, Director of Coffee at Fair Trade USA. "This is even more apparent with the introduction of their Wellsley Farms line, making BJ's the first major retailer to shift the most own brands coffee varieties to Fair Trade Certified™."

Wellsley Farms Fair Trade Certified Assortment

Whole Bean Coffee

  • Organic Sumatra Estate, 40 oz.
  • Espresso Blend, 40 oz.
  • Guatemalan French Roast, 40 oz.
  • Costa Rican, 40 oz.
  • Columbian Supremo, 40 oz.

Ground Coffee

  • Decaffeinated Blend, 40 oz.
  • Breakfast Blend, 40 oz.
  • Colombian Ground, 40 oz.
  • Organic Peruvian, 32 oz.
  • Hazelnut Flavored, 32 oz.
  • French Vanilla Flavored, 32 oz.

To learn more about BJ's committment to sourcing responsibily, visit http://www.bjs.com/citizenship.