Archive for the 'Coffee' Category

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? →

Here at CRS headquarters, we are fond of sharing that the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops passed a resolution supporting Fair Trade a couple years ago at one of their annual meetings. We were as delighted to learn from our Constituency Relations colleague Christine Smith that the National Council of Catholic Women recently also [...]

Read the entry: Another Fair Trade Resolution from Church Leaders →

UGH! I can’t believe I really wrote that! But, hey, it is part of my job to help you shop your values. I know so many of us want to be thoughtful, responsible consumers, and the upcoming holiday season can full of distractions and temptations that take us of our path. But [...]

Read the entry: Only 49 shopping days until Christmas →

That’s the new sticker floating around CRS offices these days, courtesy of our friends at Dean’s Beans in Massachusetts. It just goes to show that from coast to coast, more and more people are choosing to drink Fair Trade coffee as a reflection of their values.  Check out the article below from the Spokesman-Review to find out [...]

Read the entry: What Would Jesus Brew? →

Although Fair Trade is considered by some folks to be a development tool, meaning a set of principles and practices that help disadvantaged people increase incomes, invest in communities and protect the environment in sustainable ways, the fact is I don’t get to hang out with development practitioners all that much. Sure, Catholic Relief [...]

Read the entry: Fair Trade: Feel-good fad or best-kept development secret? →

 
It’s my third week with the Fair Trade program and I’m finally getting around to posting my first blog. Why? Well, Jackie and I have been busy. Not only because it’s Fair Trade month, but also because we took a trip to Nicaragua last week for the Cooperative Coffees annual meeting. I love coffee, but [...]

Read the entry: How to Become a Coffee Geek in Nicaragua →

If you have been touched by the CRS Fair Trade program–enjoyed its products like yummy Divine chocolate, experienced the fun of shopping at a Work of Human Hands sale, or learned how your cup of Fair Trade coffee helps you live out your faith on a daily basis, then you have been touched by [...]

Read the entry: Buena suerte Michael →

 
 
 
 
Great news!  Equal Exchange will be joining our Coffee Program on October 1! 
For those of you who don’t know “EE,” it is our pleasure to help acquaint you.  EE is a:

Worker-owned cooperative.
Fair Trade pioneer.  The coop was established in 1986 when few people in the United States were talking about Fair Trade, developed an innovative  Interfaith Program that partners [...]

Read the entry: Equal Exchange to Join Coffee Program! →

As Labor Day approaches, some of us look forward to three day weekends and final opportunities to enjoy the summer. That’s only natural, and I hope you do find ways to rest and rejuvenate before the long sunny days and light work and school schedules slip away. For myself, I have a whole [...]

Read the entry: Celebrating Labor Day the Solidarity Way →