<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on coffee]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by City Hippy http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:29:15 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/1 Starbucks Challenge

Hey Claudia & Umbra

The issue of FT is certainly a tricky one as I have since discovered but there are plenty of FT coffee suppliers out there. Including Starbucks believe it or not.

Starbucks promise that you can get a cup of FT coffee in any of their stores in 23 countries. And if it is not being brewed then they should press it for you. This is all company policy. However the reality is not that simple.

I (www.cityhippy.net) am based in London and along with an LA based blogger (greenlagirl.blogspot.com) have set up the Starbucks Challenge which aims to test the Starbucks FT Coffee promise. More info about the challenge is here and here

RESULTS SO FAR
We set up the challenge on Oct 4th and so far 130+ blogs have spotlighted the challenge (including some biggies) leading to 140+ challenges in over 11 countries around the world and 24 US states plus DC.

Starbucks got in touch after just 3 days and are watching the results.

Turns out getting a FT coffee in a Starbucks is not as simple as Starbucks had hoped. But at least they are listening and learning.

Good luck on your FT coffee hunt.

Namaste

CH


]]> Starbucks Challenge

Hey Claudia & Umbra

The issue of FT is certainly a tricky one as I have since discovered but there are plenty of FT coffee suppliers out there. Including Starbucks believe it or not.

Starbucks promise that you can get a cup of FT coffee in any of their stores in 23 countries. And if it is not being brewed then they should press it for you. This is all company policy. However the reality is not that simple.

I (www.cityhippy.net) am based in London and along with an LA based blogger (greenlagirl.blogspot.com) have set up the Starbucks Challenge which aims to test the Starbucks FT Coffee promise. More info about the challenge is here and here

RESULTS SO FAR
We set up the challenge on Oct 4th and so far 130+ blogs have spotlighted the challenge (including some biggies) leading to 140+ challenges in over 11 countries around the world and 24 US states plus DC.

Starbucks got in touch after just 3 days and are watching the results.

Turns out getting a FT coffee in a Starbucks is not as simple as Starbucks had hoped. But at least they are listening and learning.

Good luck on your FT coffee hunt.

Namaste

CH


]]> Comment #2 by RobertW http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Wed, 09 Nov 2005 10:30:06 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/2 Pimping Coffee

Why is a site, supposedly dedicated to environmentalism pimping coffee?

Sure, I agree that organic, shade-grown, fairly traded coffee is better than not (both for your taste buds and the planet.)  But, coffee, is essentially a neuro-toxin.  Taken in large enough quantities, it can cause a number of uncomfortable, if not dangerous side-effects.

Not to mention that many people are simply allergic (and unaware of it) to the stuff.

My sense of environmental ethic says, cut out the coffee.  Coffee is not an essential part of anyone's diet.

]]> Pimping Coffee

Why is a site, supposedly dedicated to environmentalism pimping coffee?

Sure, I agree that organic, shade-grown, fairly traded coffee is better than not (both for your taste buds and the planet.)  But, coffee, is essentially a neuro-toxin.  Taken in large enough quantities, it can cause a number of uncomfortable, if not dangerous side-effects.

Not to mention that many people are simply allergic (and unaware of it) to the stuff.

My sense of environmental ethic says, cut out the coffee.  Coffee is not an essential part of anyone's diet.

]]> Comment #3 by lanawuzhear http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:06:57 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/3 Fair Trade Direct

Hey guys,

I am an intern at the Community Agroecology Network (CAN), based in Santa Cruz. CAN is an international network committed to sustaining rural livelihoods and environments by integrating research, education and trade innovations. We work in 5 rural communities in Central America, Mexico, and Costa Rica doing research witht he farmers to create methods of sustainable farming while promoting biodiversity conservation and community livelihood.

So what you ask? We have an amzing program where you can buy coffee DIRECTLY from the Coopepueblo cooperative in Costa Rica. The cofee is grown, roasted, packaged, and then shipped directly to your door. Through the cooperative, most of the "middle men" are eliminated and the farmers get the highest selling price for their coffee, 5 times more than convential coffee market prices, and even 2 TIMES MORE THAN FAIR TRADE PRICES.

Visit http://www.communityagroecology.net to find out more information.

Right now, prices are reduced due to our holiday campaign. You can buy a monthly coffee subscription for you or a gift recipient. CAN coffee makes a great holiday present!!

]]> Fair Trade Direct

Hey guys,

I am an intern at the Community Agroecology Network (CAN), based in Santa Cruz. CAN is an international network committed to sustaining rural livelihoods and environments by integrating research, education and trade innovations. We work in 5 rural communities in Central America, Mexico, and Costa Rica doing research witht he farmers to create methods of sustainable farming while promoting biodiversity conservation and community livelihood.

So what you ask? We have an amzing program where you can buy coffee DIRECTLY from the Coopepueblo cooperative in Costa Rica. The cofee is grown, roasted, packaged, and then shipped directly to your door. Through the cooperative, most of the "middle men" are eliminated and the farmers get the highest selling price for their coffee, 5 times more than convential coffee market prices, and even 2 TIMES MORE THAN FAIR TRADE PRICES.

Visit http://www.communityagroecology.net to find out more information.

Right now, prices are reduced due to our holiday campaign. You can buy a monthly coffee subscription for you or a gift recipient. CAN coffee makes a great holiday present!!

]]> Comment #4 by RobertW http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:53:23 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/4 More information on Caffeine

Caffeine has numerous debilitating effects on the human physiological system.

Caffeine exacerbates and exaggerates the sensation of stress in stressed individuals.

Here's a link to more information from the journal of psychosomatic medicine.

]]> More information on Caffeine

Caffeine has numerous debilitating effects on the human physiological system.

Caffeine exacerbates and exaggerates the sensation of stress in stressed individuals.

Here's a link to more information from the journal of psychosomatic medicine.

]]> Comment #5 by bastish http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:03:01 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/5 Sailboat certified coffee

I can see the good environmentalist sitting down to breakfast.  A piece of toast baked locally from local ingredients, a pat of locally produced butter, local jam made from local strawberries grown in season and preserved for those cold winter days. And a cup of fair-trade, shade-grown, organic coffee..... that has traveled around the world raising your food millage beyond what anyone can consider "sustainable".

Of course I still drink coffee. I'm addicted.  But what is Umbra's advice regarding this conundrum?  I know that when other foods are discussed we are advised to forego such things, such as strawberries when they are out of season, which only makes sense.  I don't eat bananas or pineapple at all because they can't be grown here. But what about when coffee beans are never in season where I live? Is there a fourth certification assuring me that it has been shipped in a sailboat?

]]> Sailboat certified coffee

I can see the good environmentalist sitting down to breakfast.  A piece of toast baked locally from local ingredients, a pat of locally produced butter, local jam made from local strawberries grown in season and preserved for those cold winter days. And a cup of fair-trade, shade-grown, organic coffee..... that has traveled around the world raising your food millage beyond what anyone can consider "sustainable".

Of course I still drink coffee. I'm addicted.  But what is Umbra's advice regarding this conundrum?  I know that when other foods are discussed we are advised to forego such things, such as strawberries when they are out of season, which only makes sense.  I don't eat bananas or pineapple at all because they can't be grown here. But what about when coffee beans are never in season where I live? Is there a fourth certification assuring me that it has been shipped in a sailboat?

]]> Comment #6 by RobertW http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:21:09 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/6 Addiction

Does the fact that you are addicted to coffee mean that it's acceptable to use it, despite the environmental problems associated with its use?

Is addiction chic?  What does that say about the strength and resourcefulness of the inner being?

I think the environmental argument, coupled with the health consequences, amount to enough incentive to let go of the coffee habit.

Certainly it is enough to deny the marketing of coffee in supposedly environmentalist news sources.  Would the editors of grist consider advertising for organic, fair-trade certified tobacco products?

]]> Addiction

Does the fact that you are addicted to coffee mean that it's acceptable to use it, despite the environmental problems associated with its use?

Is addiction chic?  What does that say about the strength and resourcefulness of the inner being?

I think the environmental argument, coupled with the health consequences, amount to enough incentive to let go of the coffee habit.

Certainly it is enough to deny the marketing of coffee in supposedly environmentalist news sources.  Would the editors of grist consider advertising for organic, fair-trade certified tobacco products?

]]> Comment #7 by jvogel http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/ Mon, 14 Nov 2005 02:41:17 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/coffee1/7 Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee

Dear Umbra,

I would like to point out that Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee goes way beyond "shade grown". All coffee farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance are evaluated against both social and environmental standards, including worker wages & rights, health & safety, living conditions, pesticide/herbicide use, waste recycling and habitat conservation. Farmers achieving Rainforest Alliance certification can command a premium for their coffee, providing an economic incentive for sustainable farm management. For a comprehensive list of our standards, please see
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/agriculture/certified-crops/get-certified.html.

The Rainforest Alliance does not condone coffee boycotts. Boycotting coffee creates hardship for the millions of farm workers in poor countries whose ability to feed their families, pay for health care, and educate their children depends on the rest of us drinking lots of coffee. Rather, we work to transform the way coffee is grown to preserve valuable wildlife habitat and improve the lives of the people who depend on coffee farming to survive. And we encourage consumers to help us transform the industry by purchasing responsibly.

Concerned coffee drinkers can rest assured that they are making good choices for people AND the environment when they choose Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Many thanks,
Jennifer Vogel
Rainforest Alliance


]]> Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee

Dear Umbra,

I would like to point out that Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee goes way beyond "shade grown". All coffee farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance are evaluated against both social and environmental standards, including worker wages & rights, health & safety, living conditions, pesticide/herbicide use, waste recycling and habitat conservation. Farmers achieving Rainforest Alliance certification can command a premium for their coffee, providing an economic incentive for sustainable farm management. For a comprehensive list of our standards, please see
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/agriculture/certified-crops/get-certified.html.

The Rainforest Alliance does not condone coffee boycotts. Boycotting coffee creates hardship for the millions of farm workers in poor countries whose ability to feed their families, pay for health care, and educate their children depends on the rest of us drinking lots of coffee. Rather, we work to transform the way coffee is grown to preserve valuable wildlife habitat and improve the lives of the people who depend on coffee farming to survive. And we encourage consumers to help us transform the industry by purchasing responsibly.

Concerned coffee drinkers can rest assured that they are making good choices for people AND the environment when they choose Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Many thanks,
Jennifer Vogel
Rainforest Alliance


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