Frequently Asked Questions

The "enemies" of coffee are oxygen, light, heat and moisture. Reducing exposure to these enemies can be achieved by storing coffee in an airtight container located in a cool, dark, dry place and by purchasing beans instead of grounds; a smaller surface area of beans decreases susceptibility to oxygen, light, heat and moisture.

For some, brewing coffee is an art; for others, a satisfying morning or mid afternoon ritual; and for many, a timely task necessary to fulfilling a caffeine craving. Whichever category you fall into, knowing which brewing equipment to use is key to great-tasting coffee. Stick to brewing equipment that doesn't require paper filters—espresso machines and French presses are best—this will ensure the wonderful aromas and oils of your coffee make their way into your cup instead of sticking to your filter. While strength is generally subjective to the coffee drinker, lower ratios of water to grounds will result in stronger coffee.

We have chosen not to produce single serving packages of coffee due to the amount of packaging waste single servings such as pods create. Instead, we encourage the use of our eco-cube with a reusable coffee measure as a consistent and convenient method of measuring coffee for brewing. We understand that in large organizations pre-measured coffee is important, so we also offer 75g fraction packs, available in selected varieties by the case.

We grind all of our coffee to a medium ground. We recommend this grind be used for all brewing equipment except espresso machines, which require a finer grind.

Decaffeinating of Decaf Colombia is made possible by DESCAFECOL, a decaffeinating plant located in Colombia. DESCAFECOL uses clear mountain water and naturally extracted ethyl acetate (EA). While EA can be found in many fruits and vegetables, DESCAFECOL chooses sugar cane as their source for EA, due to an abundant local supply.

Similar to our fruit and cane sugar, Decaf Colombia has been added to Level Ground's product line as a value-added product. By decaffeinating Decaf Colombia green beans in Colombia, Level Ground Trading is able to leave the value-added process in the local economy. Currently, our other origins do not offer Decaf coffee.

There are no additives or sulphides used in the preservation process of our fruit; it is preserved simply through air-drying.

Shelf life for dried fruit is approximately one year; keeping it out of direct sunlight and areas of extreme heat will help to preserve your fruit. Please find best before dates (month/year) located on the back of all fruit packages.

While Fruandes, our processing plant for fruit and sugar, is not currently certified as being nut free, we are able to confirm that there are no nuts processed in the plant.

Fruandes, our fruit processing plant in Bogotá, Colombia is now certified organic by BCS ÖKO-GARANTIE. Although fruit is not certified organic, it is grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides. The first priority for Fruandes is to support small-scale farmers with a fair price for their fruit. Certification of mango, golden berries and pineapple is in transition for select farmers who have joined an organic conversion and certification program. Our natural cane sugar is now certified organic.

Under the Excise Tax Act (i.e Goods and Services Tax) any product, for example our fruit mix, containing more than one type of fruit is to be considered a "snack mixture" and is therefore subject to HST.

Our coffee, fruit, and sugar can be found at over 300 grocery stores and cafés throughout Canada and over 50 stores in the United States. Please visit our store locator to find a store convenient to you.

Call us at 1.888.565.6633 if you're unable to find a location near you, or order directly online.

Yes, please feel free to order online, send us an email to orders@levelground.com or give us a call at 1.888.565.6633

Shipping costs are included in our pricing; the price you see is the price you pay.

Level Ground Trading encourages you to return your packaging for our upcycling program. To find a list of retailers who partner with us to reclaim packages for our upcycling program, use the 'filter' function on our  store locator. *Upcycling*

Yes. Fruit and sugar packaging are recognized as Low Density Polyethylene (LDP) and can be recycled under the #4 category.

Yes. For high volume coffee consumers we offer a 5 lb (2.2 kg) eco-cube, a recycled cardboard box with a resealable, valved plastic liner (which can be recycled under the #4 category).

We see multiple methods for maintaining accountability to our mission and Direct Fair Trade approach.

1. Direct transparency – open assessment: Direct transparency is a practice of offering trade agreements, receipts or contracts up for review via our website. This allows for public scrutiny. Openness to public feedback via participation at conferences, workshops and online dialogue are also methods of direct transparency.
2. Association - peer review via membership to an association: Level Ground has been a member of the WFTO since 1999. Membership requirements include an initial review of our trade practices and verification of our transactions. We have participated in self-assessments, external review, and certification through the WFTO and have been recognized as a Fair Trade Organization meaning we uphold the 10 tenants of Fair Trade.
3. Certification - audited document review: Certification impacts accountability at very detailed level. We use this process to certify the trade of a selection of products within the FLO system, for organic products and for demonstrating compliance with food safety practices.