Third Street Partners with Fair Trade USA to Expand Line of Fair Trade Certified Teas
Leading Beverage Company Extends Commitment to Tea Farmers & Consumers Worldwide
Louisville, Colo., May 15, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Today, Third Street, makers of premium, sustainable beverages, announced a deepening of its more than ten-year partnership with Fair Trade USA, a leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States, in an effort to strengthen its commitment to helping tea farmers and villagers in developing countries thrive in the global economy.
“We’re thrilled to announce this renewed partnership with Fair Trade USA,” said John Simmons, founder and president of Third Street. “We’ve been a longtime investor in the Fair Trade movement and believe in Fair Trade USA’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This partnership is part of our larger promise to help raise awareness among customers on how they can make a difference in the world with their purchasing decisions.”
All Third Street beverages are Fair Trade Certified, and the company recently unveiled a new line of ready-to-drink 14-ounce iced teas and lemonades using only the finest ingredients, like tea leaves from the lush region of Nilgiri, India. All varieties are gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified™, USDA Organic, and can be purchased exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.
“When Whole Foods Market first met with Third Street more than three years ago, it was clear they were going to change the way people think about and enjoy tea,” said Dwight Richmond, global grocery purchasing coordinator for Whole Foods Market. “We were proud to help their business grow through our Local Producer Loan Program and are thrilled to continue supporting their mission by launching their new line.”
The new line includes the following flavors:
Black Tea
- Unsweetened – Pure black tea that is naturally calorie free.
- Slightly Sweet – Lightly sweetened with Fair Trade and organic cane sugar.
- Peach – With a hint of juicy organic peach juice and organic cane sugar.
- Raspberry – With a splash of tart raspberry juice and dash of organic cane sugar
Green Tea
- Unsweetened – Pure green tea that is naturally calorie free.
- Slightly Sweet – Lightly sweetened with Fair Trade and organic cane sugar.
- Mint & Honey – Blend of organic peppermint and spearmint leaves with a touch of organic honey.
Lemonades
- Pucker Up – The perfect blend of organic lemon juice and Fair Trade and organic cane sugar.
- Half & Half – A harmonious balance of iced tea and lemonade.
“We are proud to partner with Third Street as they continue to bring innovative, new products to market,” said Sarah Minarik, Business Development Manager at Fair Trade USA. “These new products demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the lives tea farmers and their families in Asia, while providing North American consumers with healthy and delicious iced teas they can feel good about drinking.”
Third Street’s authentic brewing process creates deliciously full-bodied and robust iced teas perfect for any time of day. The company boasts some of the most stringent sustainability efforts in the industry, including the use of U.S. made bottle and case packaging. By purchasing Third Street’s Fair Trade beverages, retailers and consumers can be assured that tea farmers and workers will receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, protect the environment and earn community development premiums to improve their lives. For more information, visit: http://www.thirdstreetinc.com.
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About Third Street Inc.
Founded in 1995, Third Street developed the first organic and Fair Trade chai concentrates in 2001 and has been micro-brewing teas for the natural product and specialty coffee markets ever since. A Louisville, Colorado-based company, Third Street teas and beverages are authentically brewed and crafted with great attention to detail. Committed to ingredients and practices that are good for people and the plant, Third Street’s brewing facility is wind-powered, and the company composts ingredients with local organic farmers in Boulder County. www.thirdstreetinc.com.
About Fair Trade USA
A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, Fair Trade USA is the leading third-party certifier of fair trade products in the United States. Fair Trade USA uses market-based approaches that give farmers fair prices, workers safe conditions, and entire communities resources for fair, healthy and sustainable lives. For more information about Fair Trade USA, visit. www.fairtradeusa.org.
