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December 2008
A Cooperative Coffees e-Newsletter for and about Fair Trade
Issue No. 7 December 2008
In this issue..
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| Reach out!Outreach and Communications Roaster News Producer News Travel: Where in the world is CoopCoffees? The Latest in Fair Trade |
Reach out!
It's that time of year again when -- the big scramble to tie up loose threads before the Holidays begin and the year ends. But as we wind up 2008, we also want to take the time to reflect upon a very active and inspirational year! As usual, Cooperative Coffees members and partners have been busy, busy, busy with the basics that go into the coffee business and a myriad of quality and development projects underfoot. This month's newsletter is a snapshot of some of our more recent activities and accomplishments... and highlights new projects and producer partners.
In November, a Cooperative Coffees group traveled to Ethiopia to meet with coops from the Farmers' Unions in Sidamo, Yirgacheffee and Harar. Read below about this facsinating journey and the remakable developments underway at Oromia Union. From this experience, we have a couple of great, new projects lined up for the New Year... so stay tuned!
The relationship with our newest producer partner, ACOES of El Salvador, continues to deepen through a couple of exciting new projects. Having just received 100 pairs of donated glasses from Cafe Campesino, ACOES is thrilled and gratified to have joined the Fair Trade community!
And last but not least, we await the progress reports on the Fair Trade "big change" underfoot as FLO -- the "patriarch" of Fair Trade labeling initiatives -- is reviewing and revising its Strategic Plan. Without a doubt, 2009 is shaping up to be an exciting and eventful year indeed!
Enjoy your read and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Let us know what changes you'd like to see in this newsletter by emailing us at bignews@coopcoffees.com.
Outreach and Special Projects
2009: A Year of Challenge; and A Year of Hope
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| The New Year tends to conjure great expectations. And while recent, dreary economic news has most people wondering – even fearing – what lies in store for 2009, we at Cooperative Coffees see positive signals ahead. Of course, 2009 will be filled with many challenges – not unlike the last 10 years of Cooperative Coffees’ existence! Our history gives us (realistic) hope that this year will be as successful as the others! A BIG thank-you to all of our roasters, producer partners, and supporters who have kept us going - we can't wait to bring in the New Year with you! |
Roaster News
Desert Sun Contributes to Ethiopia School Fund
| With funds raised during a local Coffee Festival and from a showing of the documentary Black Gold, Desert Sun recently delivered a check to Negele Gorbitu, a coop belonging to the Oromia Union in Ethiopia. As a supplement to an ongoing school project, this money will help students get the basic educational resources they so desperately need and deserve. (Photo: Tadesse shows Desert Sun's Yirgacheffee's roast) |
Fresh Cup Magazine Highlights our "Cooperative Advantage"
| In the October issue of renowned coffee magazine Fresh Cup, an article was published about the unique and effective cooperative model within the Fair Trade world. Author Steven Krolak cites examples of a few cooperative-structured companies -- including our very own Just Coffee and Peace Coffee! The article discusses the benefits and challenges of forming, participating in, and managing a collectively-owned cooperative. |
Producer News
Better vision, brighter future: ACOES receives donated glasses
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| In North America, we take for granted the relatively easy access we have to services such as vision correction and proper housing. In many areas of the world, however, something as simple as obtaining reading glasses for older people or securing housing for families is next to impossible. The recent donation of 100 pairs of glasses from Cafe Campesino to producer partner coop ACOES as well as the proposal of a housing project with the Fuller Center provide wonderful examples of how Fair Trade strives to build a better world beyond market transactions. |
Travel: Where in the world is Coopcoffees?
CC in Ethiopia, Birthplace of Coffee
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| From Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa Peace Coffee Director Lee Wallace, Conscious Coffees Roaster/Owner Mark Glenn and CoopCoffees Producer Relations Manager Monika Firl bounced along 2,500 km of rough and rutted roads through Sidamo, Yirgacheffee and Harar regions. It was a perfect opportunity to get a feel for the country and to get real time information with the harvest just underway (or not). |
Why not give a donkey this Chrismas?
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| Still stressing over what to buy for those "difficult to please" In-laws? Or for that friend who already seems to have everything? Are you wary of trying to find something original in those crowded and overwhelming shopping malls? We think we have the perfect solution for you.... Why not give a donkey this Christmas? |
The Latest in the Fair Trade Movement
Hopeful signs: FLO reviews Business Model
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| Nearly 10 years into its development, FLO has fallen increasingly under scrutiny as actors in the world of Fair Trade are becoming more and more wary of the organization's commitment to the well-being of small-scale producers. In response to the criticism, FLO has recently agreed that change should happen...now we all wait in eager anticipation to see how their plans unfold. |
