i found this interesting... not sure how completely legit it is.

[superman4699]

Did you know that Starbucks pays all the farmers and workers who grow and process their coffees in the origin countries ABOVE their country's normal pay rate? And that they also build schools and employ doctors in the villiages that house said farmers and workers so everyone outside of America who touches their coffee gets free medical and dental

Comments

[sapphiren17]

Haha-good story Justin. I love Starbucks, and this bit of info makes me feel less like a corporate tool for consuming large quantities of it...yay consumer whore.

[mandarin13]

because even "good" corporations (is that an oxymoron?) push out independent coffee shops, ones that most likely also use fair trade coffees and might actually do more community events

and i think most of what they've done has been a result of all the 'bad rap' they had been getting. oh, and probably all their storefronts smashed by anarchists

[superman4699]

funny thing is.. i know you've seen this before (if you still have rainofbastards listed as a friend) and there were about a gabillion arguments just like this... and then about a gabillion arguments supporting the other way around... so i am not really gonna try and say something else. just as long as there's fair trade at all though? eh?

[christyl2002]

I am admittedly not the economist, but would somone please explain the difference between free and fair trade?

[superman4699]

Fair Trade is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.

Free trade hinders such progress because of the heavy tariffs that are usually paid to export the products that are produced. Thus, poor farmers suffer when trying to maintain a business because they can't cover the costs of their own business let alone maintain a living wage.

Its admittedly a liberal concept but i think it's hard to justify not paying a few extra cents for your coffee just so someone can have a life. But hey, maybe that's the hippie in me.