When I wrote about Starbucks’ rather misleading press release a couple weeks back, I didn’t really think they’d care much. Then the latest “Starbucks Social Responsibility Newsletter” hit my inbox today.
What bugged me about the original press release? Among other things, Starbucks wrote: Additionally, U.S. Barnes & Noble cafes serving Starbucks coffee will serve Cafe Estima Blend on a daily basis as one of several featured coffees.” But when I called Cindy of Starbucks about it, she told me that this applied only to B&Ns located on college campuses — and then, only after those campuses specifically requested fair trade blends.
Now, check out the revised press release: Additionally, licensed stores and Barnes & Noble cafés serving Starbucks coffee on U.S. college and university campuses will have the opportunity to serve Café Estima Blend on a daily basis as one of several featured conservation and/or certified coffees beginning this fall.”
Still quite flowery, but at least somewhat less misleading. Is Starbucks reading me seriously? Or is that my organic-wine-soaked ego talking?
I’m hoping other fair trade friends grumbled about the press release too — I don’t wanna be the ONLY fair trade bitch out there –
Filed in: starbuckschallenge coffee csr fairtrade losangeles starbucks pressrelease publicity
I can assure you, you’re not the only “fair trade bitch”. Well, as much as I can be a bitch ;) I’m not sure about the larger scale of things, but I’m sure my local starbucks hates me by now. Doesn’t keep me from annoying them.. ;)
I swear, it’s all your fault ;)
Comment by Robert 'Groby' Blum — October 24, 2005 @ 8:59 pm
You may be the eye of this particular storm, but it feels right to people, you articulate their (our) concerns clearly and in a reasonable albeit brook-no-BS way. SBX has heard from more than a few other folks or they would NOT be paying attention.
Bitch On!
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — October 24, 2005 @ 9:07 pm
Groby — Gimme deets on your bitchiness! Gotta know — not only so I personally feel better about my bitchy behavior, but so I can add you to my nerdy Excel sheet in which I’ve compiled the challenge factoids ;)
And Roger — Dude — You need to get back to me about your Starbucks Challenge deets too. It’s funny — both of you are like some of the most committed fair trade consumers I know, but neither of you lemme know what’s actually going on in your real lives!
Seriously, get back to me. Ok, I can tell neither of you are big Starbucks fans. But hey, it’s for a bigger fair trade cause :)
Comment by Siel — October 25, 2005 @ 1:57 am
Hehe. Not a big Starbucks fan. That’s a good one ;)
I spend way much more time and money there than I should. Problem is, I’m of the latte faction of things – so not much chance on the FT thing. Anyways, I dutifylly had a daily cup of Estima while it was coffee of the week – no problem there. (Although Estima just barely reaches the “tolerable” level of things). Before, I tried twice to get a french pressed cup, but failed. It’s in LA, on Westwood/Wilshire. (Well, close, anyways). See, now I feel guilty. I like the gals there. Don’t want to get them in trouble – and as far as I can tell, the “sorry, only brewing these” is not a specialized fair trade reply. I am semi-certain that somebody there would’ve told me. (Yes, I spend *that* much time there ;). And I get the same reaction when I want any other non-on-tap coffee.
Same result on Wilshire/23rd. (I think it’s 23d. Somewhere down on the way to Santa Monica). I haven’t tried in the last two weeks because life interfered.
Have tried neither since SBUX sent out the “bad barrista!” e-mail…
I shall dutifully resume my bitchiness tomorrow, and report back.
Comment by Robert 'Groby' Blum — October 25, 2005 @ 2:10 am
OK, just have been at the one at Westwood and I think Lindbrook. (Close to Wilshire)
Still no fair trade, the “we’re only brewing these”. When I asked one if I got one if I begged for it, they said they were out. So, no progress on that front.
I will drink more coffee for the great purpose later tonight ;)
I hope it’s OK if I don’t blog about it, do the del.icio.us thing, etc. – I’m kind of not in a writing mood lately. (I try telling myself that I’m saving myself for NaNoWriMo…)
Anyways – there’s PRIZES? I missed that part completely. Have to double my coffee intake! ;)
Comment by Robert 'Groby' Blum — October 25, 2005 @ 1:18 pm
No prob about not blogging — I just tagged your comments :) Thanks for the investigative work!
And we’re really gonna have to work on getting your fave Starbucks to offer fair trade. It sounds like your caffeine intake alone could revitalize a coffee co-op!
Comment by Siel — October 25, 2005 @ 2:48 pm
Not only a co-op. It’s a small country, I’m telling you ;)
Since I’ve discovered that TraderJoe’s has FT coffee, it’s at least cheaper to support the habit…
Comment by Robert 'Groby' Blum — October 25, 2005 @ 3:08 pm