Coffee & Making Trade Fair

Greg and I watched a program on the National Geographic Channel called Coffee: Beans to Buzz. We love coffee so stands to reason. We pride ourselves in being somewhat conscious of the issues surrounding the world of coffee trading. We were quite shocked to hear how devastating the big coffee producers are on the environment, economy, and the little family coffee growers. We came away with a renewed determination to buy only Fair Trade, which we have been doing now for about a year. The other good products are organic or shade-grown coffees. The organic and shade grown are bird friendly, sometimes they are labeled such. Also, it's important to support your little independently owned and operated coffee house!

The worst brands (owned by huge multi-national corp.), the ones that take up a fourth of the market and are devastating to the economies and the environments of small countries are, get this, Folgers, Maxwell House, and Nestle. The program talked about how the quality of their coffee is terrible (absolutely not worth drinking!), it didn't used to be. 

After one of their stores were looted in 1999 during WTO in Seattle, Starbucks made a concerted effort to change the way they do business and they do sell Fair Trade coffees and the like. They also entered into a Fair Trade agreement with Ethiopia which was a big deal. 

Organizations/ non-profits that are making a difference and attempting to bring awareness are Global Exchange and Make Trade Fair. Interestingly, if you've ever watched the band Coldplay live, you'll note that Chris Martin has two bold stripes on the back of his hand. Come to find out he's a staunch supporter of Make Trade Fair it's their trademark - it got my attention!

"Fair Trade" products can be found in many national retailers, yes, even Publix. Check here.