23 September 2022

Fairtrade Australia New Zealand (ANZ) is excited to be sharing our stand at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo this week (27-30 September) with two Fairtrade farmers from the Pacific.

Mitchell Ricky from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Madalena Da Costa from Timor-Leste will be sharing their insights about the impact Fairtrade has on their lives and the lives of the people in their communities.

As a third-generation coffee farmer from the highlands of PNG, Mitchell Ricky is well placed to reflect on the role that Fairtrade plays in his farmer cooperative: Highlands Organic Agricultural Cooperative (HOAC). He is now working for Coffee Connections (HOAC’s exporter) in their coffee logistics and export team.  HOAC was first certified by Fairtrade back in 2005. At 28 years of age Mitchell represents the next generation of coffee.

Madalena Da Costa is 22 years old. She’s the fourth of ten children and comes from a farming family growing coffee, vanilla and other crops from Hatudu in Ainaro, Timor-Leste. Madalena was one of the stars in the inaugural Fairtrade Women’s School of Leadership this year and recently graduated from the school. She originally enrolled so she could become more independent and eventually become an entrepreneur. She feels strongly that women have been underestimated in her society and are capable to stand up as leaders.

For further information or interviews with Mitchell Ricky and Madalena Da Costa, please contact Virginia Jones at virginia@fairtrade.com.au or Ph. 0439 430 033.