Comments on: Starbucks sub-Challenge 3.5

By: Siel

Siel — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 04:14:40 +0000

Sad to say I’m not surprised — Well, at least you’re in SF — Michael, an oddly fair trade friendly Starbucks store manager, is trying to get other Starbucks to do like his… Maybe his enthusiasm will one day rub off on these places on California.

By: C-Girl in SF

C-Girl in SF — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 06:10:14 +0000

Bad Day. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was shut down for an hour today, and I desperately needed my cup o’ Fair Trade joe. So I hit up the mermaid on California and Davis. After the words “French Press” didn’t register, I used sign language and the “partner” got it. But then the word Estima was completely lost on her and her colleague. Turns out that outlet doesn’t have Estima. So, on to the next mermaid @ Battery and California. Of course the partner didn’t get my request. Partner: “You want a pound of Estima, right?” Me: “No, I want a tall French press Estima.” Of course that was an S.O.S. for the manager who was less than thrilled by a special request. When he was about to say “We can’t do that” I kindly replied, “Call your manager or Starbucks, because you CAN and SHOULD”. He obliged, but I have to confess I am tired of training partners on how to do this! I should charge a commission!

By: Babybasset

Babybasset — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 02:23:56 +0000

OOPS – The roaster is Moon Doggie Coffee Roasters in NJ… http://www.moondoggiecoffee.com

By: Babybasset

Babybasset — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 02:20:18 +0000

There is a new artisan roaster in town (and online). Not only do they sell fair trade at a fair price, but they also donate a nice percentage of their proceeds to Basset Hound rescue! I’ve ordered from them and their coffees are the freshest I’ve ever had. They ship within 24 hours after roasting and they have a nice selection on organic, rainforest friendly and bird friendly as well.

By: Siel

Siel — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:42:59 +0000

No, Starbucks does not pay more than fair trade for green coffee. Fair trade pays $1.26 to farmer co-ops, while Starbucks pays $1.20 — often to middlemen.

Fair trade actually has strict environmental and social standards that HAVE to be met in order to retain the certification. Starbucks’ CAFE practices — which covers less than 20% or their coffee as of now — makes meeting those standards optional.

By: Coffee nut

Coffee nut — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:30:28 +0000

Did you know that Fair trade actually pays less than Starbucks for Green coffee? Go figure… They pay more ONLY if the farmer takes care of the environment, the workers health, education and living conditions. Fair trade pays money no matter what. Teach a man to fish is a good idea! Starbucks may not be so bad after all.

By: Siel

Siel — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 07:59:24 +0000

Tee hee! It’s gotten somewhat ludicrious at this point, how Starbucks just can’t update their website to, um, let customers know that the “Fair Trade Blend” is no longer avaliable, and that Xmas is, indeed, over.

If it hadn’t been for Cindy’s personal email, I’d have had no idea that Cafe Estima was brewing this week. The blend’s been out since August — You’d think they’d at least have the blend under the “fair trade” link by now –

By: trill42

trill42 — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 07:45:57 +0000

Awesome! It’s too bad the Starbucks website is still telling folks the coffee of the week is the Christmas blend. If you’re persistent enough, the site may reveal that the coffee of the week is “Fair Trade Blend”. Do they want people to ask for “Fair Trade Blend”?