The collapse of the International Coffee Agreement in 1989 sent market prices plunging, putting the lives of millions of smallholder farmers around the world in jeopardy. In response, three coffee growing communities - in Peru, Costa Rica and Mexico - each shipped a single container of coffee, loaned on trust, to the UK. The beans were roasted and sold through church halls, charity shops and at local events. Since then Caf‚ Direct have been pioneers in ethical business - they began trading three years before the Fairtrade Foundation mark was first used in the UK and were the first coffee brand to carry the mark. Cafedirect Fairtrade Classic Instant is blended from high quality beans from Latin America and Africa, and is a premium instant coffee, meant to be savoured.