Comments on: Starbucks Challenge 3.0: Demand an answer!

By: Eddie

Eddie — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:52:46 +0000

I was at University of Maryland for Powershift and we ordered a cup of fair trade coffee, the cashier started to say no, but then the manager stepped over and said it would take a few minutes to brew but we could definitely have one. So a success.

By: Siel

Siel — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 15:43:57 +0000

I still think 3rd party cert’s important — Think about organic certification, for ex. Without it, you’d really have to become a guerilla investigator to find out if your veggies had been sprayed with noxious chemicals. Of course, organic certification doesn’t make all ag-related probs go away — It’s not a panacea. But it’s a part of the solution — it makes sure at least some minimum standards have been met. I see fair trade certification similarly. No, it’s not going to solve all labor-related problems. But it does take a step toward addressing them — and communicates that to the consumer –

By: Danni

Danni — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:33:54 +0000

thanks for the links…but…65% of employees are eligible for full benefits after two months…that’s pretty darn good, considering that this is coffee…. not rocket science. I really enjoyed geoff’s comments on why he didn’t go fair trade…anytime you have another agency involved in the buying relationship you are taking resources away from the growers…it’s a shame that certain companies would take advantage of low coffee prices..I still believe that pressuring companies to have responsibility is the right way to go… check out elfaroestates.com if you want to find out how starbucks works with their growers..

By: Siel

Siel — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:38:58 +0000

Hey Danni -- I made an oopsie with the link. Here's the link to the post, and here's one to .the Wall Street Journal article that cites the stats. I'm only a coffee buyer in the sense that I'm a consumer -- I don't buy it directly from farmers. However, many of the readers and commenters here are direct coffee buyers, and even those who disagree with some elements of the fair trade certification programs don't say that it's "nothing more than a kickback." You might find Geoff of Intelligentsia Coffee's comments interesting --

By: Danni

Danni — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:29:28 +0000

Where is there anything anywhere that says that a fewer percentage of starbucks employees are covered by their benefits programs than at Walmart? I can’t find it…If you can work twenty hours a week at Starbucks, you’re eligible for full benefits, as well as benefits for your family, or your gay partner, if you so choose…As far as the fair trade issue goes…are any of you coffee buyers? In the countries where the bulk of coffee is grown the governments are corrupt and fair trade certification is nothing more than a kickback that is ultimately useless to the farmers and their communities… some people will believe anything that they read, though…

By: faith

faith — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:19:11 +0000

Very needed information found here, thank you for your work

By: Siel

Siel — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:50:19 +0000

Actually, I DO know about the benefits they offer. I know that a smaller percentage Starbucks employees are covered by its benefits programs than are Walmart employees . What’re your thoughts on that?

While you’re at it — I’d love to hear what YOU’re doing for the world… I, too, am amazed by how people can be so ignorant.

By: the one

the one — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 20:46:22 +0000

you should do a lot more research before you make comments re: starbucks. I know you must not be aware of the wonderful benefits they really do offer to their employees and farmers around the world. Of course you would not know because you do not work for them. I am amazed how people can be so ignorant. Tell me about the good things starbucks is doing the cities, states, and around the world. That is my challange to you. leave it on your website… actually what r u doing for the world???

By: Gregory Heller

Gregory Heller — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 17:12:52 +0000

You know I hate Starbucks

But some people take it a step further. A bunch of international bloggers have launched the Starbucks Challenge. They go into starbucks and ask for the Fair Trade blend. Tunrs out they weren’t having universal luck finding it.

By: Siel

Siel — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 00:38:25 +0000

Hey ExSFBarista — I asked one of the Starbucks managers about this today. She told me that this shouldn’t be happening, but agreed that some glitch may be making it happen (I ran into a similar situation at a Starbucks in West Hollywood). So hopefully all the stores will soon have fair trade in stock –