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The
occasional flurry or a few inches of slush notwithstanding,
we're rousing ourselves from winter hibernation to
get out and spread the word about Fair Trade to
friends and neighbors.
In
this issue of Fair Grounds, you'll find a
spotlight on the good work being done by United
Students for Fair Trade. You'll also find a piece
on Fair Trade chocolate for Easter, an updated
Community Caravan and a new piece by Brad, the
bike delivery guy. All that plus a new trivia
question and a recipe for Indonesian Java Marinade
(yum!) - so grab a cup of your favorite brew and
read on!
(Back
to Headlines)
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by
Lynn Nichols and Melanee Meegan
 When
college students Lina Musayev and Stephanie Faith
Green attended an Oxfam Change Initiative program
in Boston during the summer of 2002, they didn't
intend to start a nationwide student movement as a
result. But that's exactly what happened. During
the Oxfam program, which brings college students
together to learn about "the root causes of
poverty and the power we all possess to overcome
them," Musayev and Green first learned about
the coffee crisis. They also discovered the
benefits of Fair Trade.
"I
was convinced on the spot that Fair Trade works
and has a great potential to reduce the symptoms
of economic, political and social instability in
the world," Musayev relates. Because there
was no nationally organized student movement for
Fair Trade, Musayev and Green, students at George
Washington University and Georgetown University
respectively, decided to start an organization
that would connect all the Fair Trade student
groups on campuses around the country.
more...
(Back
to Headlines)
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by
Brad, our intrepid bike delivery guy
Spring
is beginning to work its quiet magic on the state
of Minnesota. Over the past couple of weeks much
of the snow that’s blanketed the lawns has
melted. I’ve been able to ride comfortably
without a base layer, and the other day I noticed
seedlings sprouting from the crack in a sidewalk.
It
was a year ago this month that I started
delivering coffee beans on my bike. I still
remember my first day-riding through St. Paul in
warm, brilliant sunlight and great standing pools
of melted snow. I remember it so well because it
was one of those days that happens every year and
we are all familiar with. It’s the day when it
seems the entire city unanimously decided
"hey its spring, it’s finally here."
It’s a day marked by universal light-heartedness
and many make a point to take their lunch-breaks
out doors or linger a bit on their walk home from
school.
On
this particular day last year I remember that
colors seemed especially vibrant, people waved
from the sidewalks and cars shouted "Go Peace
Coffee!" It just felt good to be riding my
bike even though I was getting soaked from the
puddles. My senses were opening and it was a
feeling that seemed to resonate through everyone I
encountered. It’s an invigorating time to be
Midwesterners as much of the country doesn’t
have winter the way we do. As our seasons are so
starkly different so is our internal reaction to
the changes. In fact, I propose that New Year’s
resolutions be made around mid to late March, once
winter’s somberness has a chance to melt away.
Well, it’s something to consider at least.
Anyway
let’s not forget winter for the impressive
spectacle that it is. Last weeks surprise
snowstorm was a reminder. Leaving that morning for
work I was startled by the trees behind my
building. Snow had delicately blanketed every
bough from the trunk to the smallest branch. By
early afternoon the wind had blown most of the
snow to the ground. It was pretty, sure, but I’m
still looking forward to spring-leaves are a bit
more stable on trees.
(Back
to Headlines)
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The
Upper Midwest Organic Farm Conference
celebrated its 15th year this February. In 1989
forty or so farmers attended the conference, last
month 2,000 were present! UMOFC provides an
opportunity for the organic community to come
together to share and learn how to grow a healthier
and fairer food system. Peace Coffee was proud to
attend this event for the fourth year in a row, and
contribute all the coffee for the conference.
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 The
Twin Cities Food and Wine Experience - This
was the 10th anniversary of the Midwest’s largest
gourmet food and wine show. Peace Coffee was one of
280 exhibitors sampling over the three day long
event. We did more coffee brewing than we did wine
tasting. Reactions from the sold out crowd on
Saturday, said our coffee complimented perfectly
luscious desserts like poached pear with rosemary
honey tuile and the flourless chocolate espresso
cake. Next year we hope to do more sampling
ourselves.
(Back
to Headlines)
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As
Easter approaches, Global Exchange urges us to
consider buying Fair Trade chocolate. As with
coffee, Fair Trade certification for chocolate
ensures that cocoa farmers are paid a fair price
for their crop and that no forced labor is used in
its production. So, when filling Easter baskets
for the kids or buying chocolate goodies for
friends and family, look for Fair Trade certified
products. You'll find a fairly complete online
source list at www.globalexchange.org/cocoa.
You can also purchase chocolate eggs and coins
directly from Divine Chocolate's website (www.serrv.org/divine).
One
group that's taking on Fair Trade chocolate
advocacy this Easter season is United Students for
Fair Trade (profiled in this issue). The
collaboration of student Fair Trade initiatives
working towards social and ecological justice
through the promotion of Fair Trade is organizing
their second annual Fair Trade Chocolate
fundraiser. Students can use the fundraised money
to support their campus activities. The organizers
see it as a great way to spread the word to
student bodies that Fair Trade is not only about
coffee, but is an alternative trade model
involving many commodities.
Last
spring, schools participating in USFT's Fair Trade
chocolate fundraiser sold over $10,000 worth of
chocolate. The winning school receives a $250
prize to buy Fair Trade Crafts from Serrv
International (www.serrv.org).
Campuses
will have one month – this year in April – to
sell the most chocolate. The winner will be
announced on May 2nd. For more information, visit www.usft.org.
(Back
to Headlines)
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"Wherever
[coffee] has been introduced it has spelled
revolution. It has been the world's most radical
drink in that its function has always been to make
people think. And when the people began to think,
they became dangerous to tyrants."
—
William Ukers, All
About Coffee
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Fair
Grounds is produced by:
Cooperative
Coffees
Contact
Information:
Orders
and General Information
Phone - 612.870.3440 or 1.888.324.7872
Fax - 612-677-3989
E-Mail - info@peacecoffee.com
Web - http://www.peacecoffee.com
Peace
Coffee Crew*:
Anna
Canning
Beth Backen
Katie
Harrod
Rachael Hiltsley
Melanee Meegan
Michelle Ramier
TJ Semanchin
Scott Patterson
*We
work together to get the coffee out to our customers.
Although we have specific job titles, we all take turns
switching roles and putting in time where it's needed
most.
Peace
Coffee Bikers*:
Brad
Wilson
*Our bikers pack a mean trailer full of coffee. They are
speedy as speedy gets. Watch out, when they are on the
street, they mean business!
Fair
Grounds is designed by:
Starstruck
Design
335 West Gill Road
Gill, MA 01376
Contact
Information:
Don Kruger - dkruger@starstruckdesign.com
Lynn Nichols - lnichols@starstruckdesign.com
Phone - 413.863.7752
Fax - 413-863-7752
Web -
http://www.starstruckdesign.com
You
are receiving your Fair Grounds e-newsletter
because you told us you wanted to get it, or a good
friend of yours suggested to us that you would like to
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Our e-mail is info@peacecoffee.com
If
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simply send an e-mail to: newsletter-off@peacecoffee.com
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Remember,
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