Friday, August 04, 2006
Friday Coffeehouse: Fair Trade Coffee
As a reader reminded me a few weeks back, I have been thinking about how important it is to keep in mind which businesses we patronize. Given how much coffee many of us drink in our households, I think it's important to try to patronize businesses which will make a global, economical and social difference. (That is, if the coffee itself is decent!) We are called to be good stewards of the earth. Therefore we need to take that seriously to many levels... We should be recycling, if we can. We should be composting, if we can... The list goes on, but I will save that specific topic for a different time. In the meantime, I looked up "Fair Trade" and discovered not only an environmentally sound coffee company, but one that is endorsed by the Catholic Relief Service."...The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports Fair Trade programs through which disadvantaged artisans, farmers and farmworkers receive fair compensation for the goods they produce..."
Some words from the Grounds For Change company:
Grounds for Change grew out of the idea that, as part of the global community, it is our responsibility to make our purchase decisions wisely, taking into account the environmental, social and economic impacts of our spending...Coffee is the world's second most valuable commodity behind petroleum and given this scale, the opportunity to make positive change is tremendous.
Grounds for Change is a family owned and operated coffee roasting business located in the Pacific Northwest. We roast our Fair Trade, Organic, Shade Grown coffee to order, by hand, in small batches to ensure that you receive the freshest coffee possible...
All of our coffee is fair trade certified...
The coffee we sell is also shade grown coffee which ensures healthy habitat for migratory birds.
Grounds for Change coffees originate from communities throughout Latin America and the Pacific. We make it a priority to know exactly where our coffee is grown and that the importers we work with are committed to developing long-term, lasting relationships with small coffee farmers. Grounds for Change is a sustainable business. We use 100% renewable energy through Puget Sound Energy's Green Power Program...Our belief in the importance of supporting social and environmental causes permeates our business and personal lives.
So, once again, we're putting in a plug for the "little man"... Check this company out and please consider supporting companies which will have a positive long-term efffect on our world and on society.
~Sia in Vancouver, WA
one of us ::
8:33 PM ::
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