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April 2009
A Cooperative Coffees e-Newsletter for and about Fair Trade
Issue No. 11 April 2009
In this issue...
Reach out!
In the midst of the largest convergence of Specialty Coffee folks in North America - SCAA Conference being held this year in Atlanta, GA - we take a brief moment to go over some of the interesting news of the last month as well as give you a head's-up of some exciting events to come! (And stay tuned: we'll bring you full coverage of this year's SCAA and Americus events in next month's newsletter!) In less than one month, countries all over the world will join together in an international celebration of Fair Trade for the World Fair Trade Day (May 9th). In North America, the FT Resource Network has been busy organizing and promoting the event -- in particular the "World's Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break. A number of Coop Coffees' roaster-members will be hosting events so be sure to check out what's happening near you!
Many of our members are making news and changing the world bit-by-bit with a variety of special projects, purposeful travel, and influential baked goods!! Whether through murals, music, water or stamps, Coop Coffees' roasters are busy spreading the good of Fair Trade throughout North America...and the world.
Participating in the work of our allies is another way we support the larger movement -- last month's Fair Trade Federation conference in Portland offered just such an opportunity. Coop Coffees also looks forward to collaboration with the newly created Ixil Foundation in working with our producer partner Asociación Chajulense in Guatemala.
Spring 2009 is shaping up to be a busy and fulfilling season for Fair Trade! We hope you can join in on the fun!
Enjoy your read!
Let us know what changes you'd like to see in this newsletter by emailing us at bignews@coopcoffees.com.
** SPECIAL: Donkey Update! **
"Watch me carry |
| The donkey project with producer partner Oromia continues with a yeeeehaaaaww success! So far, we have nearly 30 donkeys purchased by CC members and friends! Each farming coop where CoopCoffees sources coffee will enter into a "friendly competition" for top-quality coffee cherries at their collective wet processing plants. This will not only help farmers improve their quality (and save their backs!), but is also a fun way for consumers to support Fair Trade and to connect with coffee producers. We've got enough donkey commitments for this harvest season but will be continuing the project next year so save your donkey dollars! |
Outreach and Special Projects
World Fair Trade Day: Take a FT Coffee Break this year!
 | Coop Coffees is a proud sponsor of World Fair Trade Day (WFTD), an international celebration of Fair Trade. This year’s events will be taking place in over 80 countries worldwide and in North America, Fair Traders plan on breaking the record number of participants (50,000!) in the Fair Trade Coffee Break! The theme of this year’s World Fair Trade Day is Everything is better when it’s fair. |
Roaster News
Amavida hosts events during community's Art Miles Mural Peace Project
| In March, roaster-member Amavida participated in an international, 9-year running peace project called the Art Miles Mural Project in which communities -- and children in particular -- are encouraged to create peace through art. This year, the organization that coordinates the mural-painting project selected the Seaside community, home to Amavida, to host the event. After a trip to Chiapas, Amavida delivered several murals produced by producer partner Maya Vinic's children. |
United States Post Office makes Bongo's Nunbun a national postage stamp!
 | We're very proud to announce that the US Postal Service has declared member-roaster Bongo Java's much-loved and now internationally renowned Nunbun a national relic (of sorts)! This ordinary cinnamon bun that many believe looked like Mother Teresa will be an official postage stamp! Now, if we could only get them to invest in scratch-and-sniff stamps...maybe for next year's April Fools' Day! |
Producer News
Chajul announces the creation of the Ixil Foundation
 | In an area of the world that has suffered the devastating effects of a brutal civil war and years of oppression and poverty, the opportunity to join local and international efforts in seeking ways to develop sustainably -- primarily through education -- is a promising prospect. In collaboration with members of the international community, local organizations and advisers in the Ixil Triangle of northern Guatemala have established the Ixil Foundation in response to the pressing need for further development in the region. |
Travel: Where in the world is Coopcoffees?
Higher Grounds celebrates art, music, and water in the Highlands of Chiapas
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| In February 2009, CC member Higher Grounds gathered a whole slew of students, musicians, and friends from Traverse City, MI to venture into the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico on a mission to connect with local communities through meetings, music, and an ongoing water project. Yet another example of how Fair Trade brings together people from all over the world to exchange culture, knowledge...and fun! |
Dean's dispatch from Timor-Leste
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| In March, Dean of member-roaster Dean's Beans ventured into relatively un-chartered waters, to a country that few North Americans have heard of let alone visited! Coop Coffees has been importing coffee from Cooperativa Cafe Timor since 2002. We all benefit when roasters take the initiative to organize and report a trip like this. |
The Latest in the Fair Trade Movement
Fair Trade Federation celebrates 15 years at their annual conference
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| The annual Fair Trade Federation conference offers an excellent opportunity for members of the North American FT movement and their international partners/allies to exchange useful experiences and information. This year's conference was particularly special as FTF launches into its 15th year anniversary in 2009! CoopSol's intern, Sophie Verdon got the scoop in an interview with Carmen Iezzi, Executive Director of FTF. |
