Children from Stoke Fleming Primary School paid a visit to Owen’s Coffee in Modbury last week to learn about coffee and fair trade.

Xavia Smith from Owen’s began the mourning with a tour of the roastery. The pupils were fascinated to see all the stock of products on the shelves.

Xavia explained the process and journey that the beans had already been on before arriving on pallets at the roastery door. Afterwards, pupils watched the process of making an espresso with all the barista skills involved, including drawing a latte fern.

A presentation was then given on why fair trade is so important for farmers around the world. Xavia then showed the children how the coffee bean is roasted, explaining the different stages and the benefits of organic coffee farming.

Coffee plants are grown in the shade, among native trees, with no pesticides or chemicals, and this has a positive impact on biodiversity, as well as being a contributing factor in helping to slow down climate change.

The children then created a short dialogue explaining the significance of fair trade. At the end of the day, the children acted out a short play, moving through all the coffee growing and producing stages, from farmers planting to waiters serving.

‘The students were so incredibly responsive I was blown away with their creativity, ideas and great use of the props!’ said Xavia.

Helen Walker, Year 6 teacher at Stoke Fleming School said: “Thank you to everyone involved in arranging our trip to Owen’s coffee. I have to say it was an extremely informative and interesting morning. The children loved Xavia, she was fantastic involving the children in all aspects of the learning and made us all feel very welcome.”