Archive for 2007

As the year draws to a close and everyone starts thinking about the new and wonderful things they plan to accomplish for 2008, I think it’s important to remember the wonderful things accomplished in the past. So much of what we’re able to accomplish through the CRS Fair Trade program is with the help of [...]

Read the entry: Coffee Partners Make the News- how good companies do good business →

As we emerge from piles of wrapping paper, lament the amount of cookies we’ve consumed, and reflect on the good times and good people we enjoyed at Christmas, I hope you get rejuvenated by updates from folks who spent the season of Advent preparing for a Fair Trade Christmas.
Bob Walz of Guardian Angels [...]

Read the entry: Now this is how to celebrate Christmas! →

Many times when Katy or I are contacted about participating in the CRS Fair Trade program, we learn that the inquirer is a Just Faith graduate, someone who has participated in a 30 week justice formation program designed to help fill the world with humble, faith-filled people who act with courageous justice and love with [...]

Read the entry: A Just Faith Reflection on Christmas →

That’s a question that many at CRS have been asking this fall and into the season of Advent. A recent story in Philadelphia’s Catholic Standard and Times featured reflections from travelers who toured Jerusalem and the West bank visiting with Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders and CRS partners who are working to alleviate the [...]

Read the entry: Is Peace in the Middle East Possible? →

Okay, that rhyme is pretty lame, but it is hard to find catchy titles for each and every blog posting! What I’m trying to do is remind you to place your gift orders with Work of Human Hands and our coffee partners soon because Christmas is almost here. Katy and I are spending [...]

Read the entry: Tick, tock, tick, tock; time to fill your Fair Trade stockings! →

As I mentioned in my last posting, CRS Fair Traders have been getting a lot of media coverage lately, which makes us all very proud. The Florida Catholic, for example, featured Ambassador Stephanie RH Bosse, in its November 16-22nd issue. Stephanie is quite a persuasive writer, and I thought I’d share one of [...]

Read the entry: Coffee with a Clear Conscience: Guest blogger →

There is no doubt that the weeks leading up to Christmas are a busy time for Fair Traders. By planning Work of Human Hands sales, getting the word out about chocolate as a special gift, and coffee as a way to stay warm, CRS Fair Trade staff, Ambassadors, and supporters are spreading the good [...]

Read the entry: Holiday season shines spotlight on Fair Trade →

This summer I had the fun of escorting Fair Traders to Ghana the grand prize experience of the Raise Money Right contests.
As the group mentioned on this blog, we had a tremendous experience and returned to our various homes dedicated to the idea that we could help the people of Ghana by understanding [...]

Read the entry: A Fair Trade Ripple Effect for Ghana →

Greetings again from Central America. I just posted a note about four coffee cooperatives in Guatemala that are taking coffee roasting into their own hands, and mentioned that the primary market for their roasted coffee will be domestic, with exports as a possibility in the future. I thought a bit more context — [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade Field Notes: Green v. Roasted? →

Greetings from Guatemala. My name is Michael, and I used to work on the CRS Fair Trade Program with Jackie. In September I reluctantly gave up working on Fair Trade full time and began working as the CRS Regional Technical Advisor for Sustainable Livelihoods in Latin America and the Caribbean (a mouthful, I [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade Field Notes: Guatemala →