http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/03/fair-trade-101/ Rants and Raves on Espresso Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:02:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/03/fair-trade-101/#comment-416 Espresso News and Reviews - TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Does “Fair Trade” imply everything else is “Unfair Trade”? Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:53:27 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=102#comment-416 [...] “Look for the Fair Trade label” seems like the most obvious, simplistic strategy for the consumer who can only scratch the surface of this issue — in a busy life full of dizzyingly complex ethical consumer decisions. However, Fair Trade has also hurt a number of other coffee producers who hold practices at least as ethical and sustainable (locking them out of access to certain markets, placing conform-or-perish ultimatums on some family farms, etc.). Furthermore, Fair Trade itself is also rife with problems. For example, earlier this year, the London Financial Times reported on several problems with Fair Trade, including weak enforcement of certification, allowing farmers to plant in protected rainforests, and certifying growers who do not pay their employees a living wage. [...] [...] “Look for the Fair Trade label” seems like the most obvious, simplistic strategy for the consumer who can only scratch the surface of this issue — in a busy life full of dizzyingly complex ethical consumer decisions. However, Fair Trade has also hurt a number of other coffee producers who hold practices at least as ethical and sustainable (locking them out of access to certain markets, placing conform-or-perish ultimatums on some family farms, etc.). Furthermore, Fair Trade itself is also rife with problems. For example, earlier this year, the London Financial Times reported on several problems with Fair Trade, including weak enforcement of certification, allowing farmers to plant in protected rainforests, and certifying growers who do not pay their employees a living wage. [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/03/fair-trade-101/#comment-60 TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Growing coffee: It’s black, no sugar Sat, 15 Apr 2006 23:54:50 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=102#comment-60 [...] For example, a recent survey by the World Bank estimates that 540,000 laborers in Central America have lost their jobs because of coffee’s low market price. Fair Trade coffee is proposed as one solution to put more of coffee’s profits into the hands of the growers (instead of the middlemen), but Fair Trade certification can become its own kind of monopoly. [...] [...] For example, a recent survey by the World Bank estimates that 540,000 laborers in Central America have lost their jobs because of coffee’s low market price. Fair Trade coffee is proposed as one solution to put more of coffee’s profits into the hands of the growers (instead of the middlemen), but Fair Trade certification can become its own kind of monopoly. [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/03/fair-trade-101/#comment-53 TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Do hot coffee and ‘Wobblies’ go together? Wed, 22 Mar 2006 01:27:34 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=102#comment-53 [...] Starbucks ranked #29 on Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, and they are very sensitive about their brand image and integrity with consumers. This image includes fair employee pay and benefits in addition to socially-friendly causes, such as their adoption of Fair Trade coffees and recycled paper cups. [...] [...] Starbucks ranked #29 on Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, and they are very sensitive about their brand image and integrity with consumers. This image includes fair employee pay and benefits in addition to socially-friendly causes, such as their adoption of Fair Trade coffees and recycled paper cups. [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/03/fair-trade-101/#comment-43 TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Trip Report: Coffee to the People Tue, 14 Mar 2006 01:26:20 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=102#comment-43 [...] Coffee to the People is a huge space, a little on the dingy side, with tables covered in socially conscious stickers and artwork: they know how to play to their customers. There is also a reading library with couches and free WiFi. So of course, there are the usual Haightsters sleeping at tables. They roast their own coffee beans in San Rafael — all Fair Trade and organic, of course, as many of their clientele seem to be single-issue coffee drinkers. (Despite Fair Trade certification’s many flaws, many customers here seem to bestow it with a monopoly on ethical behavior.) [...] [...] Coffee to the People is a huge space, a little on the dingy side, with tables covered in socially conscious stickers and artwork: they know how to play to their customers. There is also a reading library with couches and free WiFi. So of course, there are the usual Haightsters sleeping at tables. They roast their own coffee beans in San Rafael — all Fair Trade and organic, of course, as many of their clientele seem to be single-issue coffee drinkers. (Despite Fair Trade certification’s many flaws, many customers here seem to bestow it with a monopoly on ethical behavior.) [...]

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