Post by pandorah on Mar 2, 2013 21:29:15 GMT
I've switched from "mainstream" coffee that you can buy in big supermarkets like Fresco's and Painsbury's to ethical/fairtrade coffee which I buy in organic food stores or even the small fairtrade coffee shop round the corner, whichever happens to be convenient.
The reason for my switching brands is the way workers on the coffee plantations and the small "middle men" in the producing countries are exploited by the big international coffee dealers. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears when I was on my gap year in Peru (admittedly years ago, but I doubt much has changed in that respect!)... While we pay exorbitant prices for our coffee, they only get a teeny tiny fraction of the gains and their living conditions are terrible! They are completely dependent on big internation traders who of course exploit them and keep them on a tight leash so they keep their mouth shut. It was a terrible thing to witness! And most of them are facing health dangers because of the pesticides they're being made to use!
Ever since, I've resolved to only buying organic, fair-trade coffee... and I'm glad it's now widely available, so everyone has the chance to make an ethical choice I'd never go back to regular coffee... would have such a guilty conscience. I even go so far as to not drink coffee at a café, restaurant / someone else's house if I don't know for sure that the coffee was sourced ethically.
And the best side effect: Organic coffee tastes SO MUCH better too (no pesticides or chemical fertilizers)! You should try it
The reason for my switching brands is the way workers on the coffee plantations and the small "middle men" in the producing countries are exploited by the big international coffee dealers. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears when I was on my gap year in Peru (admittedly years ago, but I doubt much has changed in that respect!)... While we pay exorbitant prices for our coffee, they only get a teeny tiny fraction of the gains and their living conditions are terrible! They are completely dependent on big internation traders who of course exploit them and keep them on a tight leash so they keep their mouth shut. It was a terrible thing to witness! And most of them are facing health dangers because of the pesticides they're being made to use!
Ever since, I've resolved to only buying organic, fair-trade coffee... and I'm glad it's now widely available, so everyone has the chance to make an ethical choice I'd never go back to regular coffee... would have such a guilty conscience. I even go so far as to not drink coffee at a café, restaurant / someone else's house if I don't know for sure that the coffee was sourced ethically.
And the best side effect: Organic coffee tastes SO MUCH better too (no pesticides or chemical fertilizers)! You should try it