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A Feature on Fair Trade in Ethiopia
Fair trade coffee in Ethiopia?
By Louise Williams
11-01-2008
Fair trade claims to guarantee a better deal for third world producers. But are producers really getting such a good deal? Louise Williams has been to southern Ethiopia to find out what benefits fair trade is bringing coffee producers. more…
There is an accompanying sound clip that gives some insight from our friends at Stumptown Coffee in Portland.
Starbucks intended competition = coopetition?
SLATE presents,
Don’t Fear Starbucks
Why the franchise actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses. (click)
It appears that having Starbucks move down the road from your coffee retailer may not be such a bad thing afterall.
I’ve been saying for a long time that Starbucks has done more good by “enlarging the pie” than they have harm by misleading customers with drink titles. For many people, Starbucks is their first experience with Specialty Coffee. Starbucks is common enough to not seem overly intimidating for the average consumer, but is socially elevated enough to give the impression of being something above average.
With their marketing success, and exponential growth rate, having a new store moving in near your retailer can be a scary thought. This article gives a brief insight as to why it may not be such a scary thing.
I do, however, feel that it is important to point out that the focus is on quality, and only quality.
Perhaps the Barista Guild of America is right. “Quality as the primary means of success.”
SLATE: Why Starbucks actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses by Taylor Clark
Barista Exchange (late on this, but better late than never!)
Matt Miletto of Bellissimo Coffee InfoGroup, and the American Barista and Coffee School (ABC’s) has put together a brilliant community site for the exchange of ideas, education, and, get this, baristas!
This gives the individual barista a way to travel the world in order to experience new concepts in great coffee by working as an “exchange barista” (like an exchange student) at another cafe. Travel is not required to be a member, and traveling internationally is certainly up to you.
I’m a member!
View my page on Barista Exchange
And if you are a barista, shop-owner, or a roaster or consultant(like me!), you can join in on the fun. Think of it as a Myspace… just for the coffee industry. Brilliant!
Our very own Aaron Blanco(The Brown Coffee Co. has also joined, and I believe Mike McKim of Cuvee Coffee Roasters has joined as well.
If you work in the coffee business, YOU NEED TO JOIN THIS SITE!
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