Comments on: Certification challenges, part V: Why TransFair USA loves Starbucks http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/ Urban environmental lifestyle blog in Los Angeles Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:12:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-8922 Siel Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:10:26 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-8922 Dude, no. You're looking at this from a way too Starbucks-centric viewpoint. I want Starbucks to do MORE fair trade. In this post, I'm saying that perhaps TFUSA is allowing itself to get swayed by the money that comes from Starbucks. I'm questioning TFUSA's policies, NOT Starbucks (at least in this post). After all, companies are expected to ramp up their fair trade commitments to 5% after 2 years. Starbucks has been a fair trade licensed roaster for SIX years. And it's STILL not at 5%. I'm hoping TFUSA will put the pressure on to get Starbucks to do more, instead of just writing nice articles for Starbucks' newsletters. Dude, no. You’re looking at this from a way too Starbucks-centric viewpoint. I want Starbucks to do MORE fair trade.

In this post, I’m saying that perhaps TFUSA is allowing itself to get swayed by the money that comes from Starbucks. I’m questioning TFUSA’s policies, NOT Starbucks (at least in this post).

After all, companies are expected to ramp up their fair trade commitments to 5% after 2 years. Starbucks has been a fair trade licensed roaster for SIX years. And it’s STILL not at 5%. I’m hoping TFUSA will put the pressure on to get Starbucks to do more, instead of just writing nice articles for Starbucks’ newsletters.

]]> By: Liz http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-8884 Liz Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:04:48 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-8884 Umm... I really don't get it. Are you saying that Starbucks is providing TSUSA with too much business... buying TOO MUCH Fair Trade coffee from TFUSA? Where else are they supposed to get their FT coffee - it is my impression that TFUSA is the ONLY body that licenses FT coffee in the U.S.A., is it not? So is Starbucks buying TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE Fair Trade coffee? It can't be both... Umm… I really don’t get it. Are you saying that Starbucks is providing TSUSA with too much business… buying TOO MUCH Fair Trade coffee from TFUSA? Where else are they supposed to get their FT coffee - it is my impression that TFUSA is the ONLY body that licenses FT coffee in the U.S.A., is it not? So is Starbucks buying TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE Fair Trade coffee? It can’t be both…

]]> By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1691 Siel Fri, 24 Feb 2006 06:12:14 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1691 Hey BirdBarista -- I think one of the concerns is that there are no formal mechanisms for NGOs or mission-based companies or activist groups to get heard at TFUSA -- let alone a seat on the board of directors for these groups. On the other hand, TFUSA in general is organized like a business, setting the scene for at least the fear of undue financial influence on the part of bg companies, especially when TFUSA <a href="http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/22/certification-challenges-part-vii-global-exchange/" rel="nofollow">chooses to come out against activist groups</a> to stand up for companies like Starbucks. I agree -- The money alone doesn't equal undue influence. But I do feel I see a lot of proof of that influence, you know? I'm a bit at a loss to figure out why TFUSA seems to be willing to go along with Starbucks, even at the detriment of its relationship with activist groups... mateotemprano -- Sorry -- My confusion might just be my ignorance re: Spinal Tap in general... Hey BirdBarista — I think one of the concerns is that there are no formal mechanisms for NGOs or mission-based companies or activist groups to get heard at TFUSA — let alone a seat on the board of directors for these groups. On the other hand, TFUSA in general is organized like a business, setting the scene for at least the fear of undue financial influence on the part of bg companies, especially when TFUSA chooses to come out against activist groups to stand up for companies like Starbucks.

I agree — The money alone doesn’t equal undue influence. But I do feel I see a lot of proof of that influence, you know? I’m a bit at a loss to figure out why TFUSA seems to be willing to go along with Starbucks, even at the detriment of its relationship with activist groups…

mateotemprano — Sorry — My confusion might just be my ignorance re: Spinal Tap in general…

]]> By: mateotemprano http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1688 mateotemprano Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:11:23 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1688 Hey Siel: My post was a feeble attempt at humor. Also, I have always wanted to use a "Spinal Tap" quote. I think maybe we all were having night caos at the time of publication... Hey Siel:

My post was a feeble attempt at humor. Also, I have always wanted to use a “Spinal Tap” quote. I think maybe we all were having night caos at the time of publication…

]]> By: BirdBarista http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1681 BirdBarista Thu, 23 Feb 2006 11:55:42 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1681 I don't see why it necessarily follows that just because the bulk of its operating budget comes from licensing fees, most of which are paid by one large licensee, Starbucks, that TFUSA is then assumed to be unduly influenced by Starbucks. The goal is to grow the Fair Trade market and increase certification. Does TFUSA turn away applications for certification just so that no one entity pays more licensing fees? That defeats the purpose. As you point out, TFUSA is a non-profit, the "revenues" that exceed normal operating costs are required by law to be put back into "public service," in other words, grow the organization. TFUSA has a board of directors, to which the CEO and other officers are beholden. It may well be that there are weird things at work behind the scenes, but really, unless I'm missing something, I don't think licensing fees automatically equals undue influence, especially to the degree you imply. I don’t see why it necessarily follows that just because the bulk of its operating budget comes from licensing fees, most of which are paid by one large licensee, Starbucks, that TFUSA is then assumed to be unduly influenced by Starbucks.

The goal is to grow the Fair Trade market and increase certification. Does TFUSA turn away applications for certification just so that no one entity pays more licensing fees? That defeats the purpose.

As you point out, TFUSA is a non-profit, the “revenues” that exceed normal operating costs are required by law to be put back into “public service,” in other words, grow the organization.

TFUSA has a board of directors, to which the CEO and other officers are beholden. It may well be that there are weird things at work behind the scenes, but really, unless I’m missing something, I don’t think licensing fees automatically equals undue influence, especially to the degree you imply.

]]> By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1679 Siel Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:37:57 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1679 Okay kids -- Admittedly, I've had a nightcap, but I'm v. confused as to what the last 3 comments are trying to say... Anyway -- I've written about the <a href="http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/22/certification-challenges-part-vii-global-exchange/" rel="nofollow">Global Exchange issue, here</a>. Okay kids — Admittedly, I’ve had a nightcap, but I’m v. confused as to what the last 3 comments are trying to say…

Anyway — I’ve written about the Global Exchange issue, here.

]]> By: Anonymous http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1678 Anonymous Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:01:18 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1678 "It goes to eleven." -ibid “It goes to eleven.”

-ibid

]]> By: mateotemprano http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1677 mateotemprano Thu, 23 Feb 2006 01:24:12 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1677 "I believe everything I read. I think it makes me a more selective person." -Nigel Tuffnel, Spinal Tap, 1988 “I believe everything I read. I think it makes me a more selective person.”

-Nigel Tuffnel, Spinal Tap, 1988

]]> By: Anonymous http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1676 Anonymous Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:18:29 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1676 "looks like transfair is sleeping with the mermaid, that doesnt have to be considered love if your paying for it right bay area fair trade dude?" don't you just love the power of the internet to inform and educate? “looks like transfair is sleeping with the mermaid, that doesnt have to be considered love if your paying for it right bay area fair trade dude?”

don’t you just love the power of the internet to inform and educate?

]]> By: m http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1674 m Wed, 22 Feb 2006 23:33:08 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/02/21/certification-challenges-part-v-why-transfair-usa-loves-starbucks/#comment-1674 looks like transfair is sleeping with the mermaid, that doesnt have to be considered love if your paying for it right bay area fair trade dude? looks like transfair is sleeping with the mermaid, that doesnt have to be considered love if your paying for it right bay area fair trade dude?

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