Is it Fair To Say Starbucks Make The Best Coffee Ever?
November 8th 2010 05:50
The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand says poverty is widespread amongst coffee, tea and cocoa growers around the world. Coffee companies in many countries exploit their workers, with long hours in primitive conditions, while paying them a pittance. Some use child labourers that are virtually slaves.
FTAANZ is urging all Aussies to make ‘The Big Swap’ from their usual products to fair trade when it comes to buying their daily caffeine fix, afternoon cuppa or chocolate treat. Fair Trade Executive Director Steve Knapp said while it is simple for consumers to make the swap, for developing country farmers it makes a big difference.
“Every swap we make to fair trade will have a major impact on the lives of the farmers, workers and artisans who produce the everyday products we take for granted,” Mr Knapp said.
“The more swaps we make to fair trade products, the more Aussies can help empower these farmers to tackle poverty, create a sustainable living for themselves and invest in the development of their communities,” he said.
Starbucks bought 385 million pounds of coffee in 2008. The company claims that 77% of that was responsibly grown and ethically traded, meeting Starbucks Coffee And Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E) program. Starbucks stated goal is to buy 100 percent of its coffee this way by 2015.
It is all well and good for Starbucks to set up its own system of ethical standards but does it meet the criteria of independent international standards? Not according to the World Fair Trade Organisation which does not recognise them.
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