A tip for companies targeting the college coffee market — Go fair trade.

Cuz if you don’t, you’re likely to get hit with a student campaign to make you change your ways.

Today, the United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) kicked off its Week of Action for the “Justice at Jazzman’s” campaign. Basically, Jazzman’s is a chain of coffee shops in colleges and universities. The campaign’s trying to get Jazzman’s to convert to 100% fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa and sugar.

Weirdly, this campaign is actually related to the Starbucks Challenge. Apparently, Jazzman’s roaster is Seattle’s Best, a subsidiary of Starbucks. Once Jazzman’s decides to make the switch to fair trade, Starbucks will have to step up its fair trade commitment.

USC doesn’t have a Jazzman’s — Yey! — but we sure as hell have a lotta Starbucks coffee on campus — as do many of you readers, in your local ‘hoods.

Owned by the food service giant Sodexho, Jazzman’s has over 120 locations in US colleges and universities — but only offers one blend of fair trade coffee. A switch by Jazzman’s to 100% fair trade would make every food service provider take note.

USFT’s already spoken to the heads of Jazzman’s, and say that the goal of this campaign’s attainable — if fair trade advocates — especially the students — really get behind it.

So — What to do — Just send an email to Jazzman’s asking them to go 100% fair trade — You can do this easily on Oxfam’s website, or send your own email. Email addresses are below, along with a form email, to which you’re welcome to add in your own language.

Then, encourage others to do likewise, by sending an email to friends, student groups, other organizations, etc. with a link to the Oxfam site or a copy of the template email.

Visit USFT.org for more info. And to get more involved with this campaign, contact salexander@wells.edu.
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TO: info@retailbrandgroup.com
CC: justiceatjazzmans@gmail.com.

Dear Mr. Kitabwalla,

As concerned consumers, we represent a growing number of consumers who demand Fair Trade Certified products. Whereas an unjust price paid to producers contributes to the poverty of millions of farming families around the world, Fair Trade offers a more equitable alternative.

Fair Trade ensures that a minimum price is being paid to the small farmers and laborers who produce the food we eat and the coffee we drink. It also sets guidelines for environmental practices that contribute to ecological sustainability.

I endorse a full conversion of Jazzman’s Cafes around the nation to 100% Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, sugar, and cocoa.

Thank you

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS [and school, if applicable]
YOUR ORGANIZATION [if applicable]

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