Finally! Fair Trade comes to the YMCA

Can you be fair trader and sell a Nestle product?

Fair Trade producers pay the growers a living wage and seek to improve their working and living conditions, including shelter, medical needs, education. To buy anything less is like enjoying a cup of bloody "java". Nestle on the other hand is known for their poor labor practices.

So I started complainging, even if I accomplished nothing else. Finally, along with the help of our Chaplain Evan, have convinced the YMCA that this should be a Fair Trade facility. The YMCA practices Christian values and tries to uphold the marginalized people. So fair trading seems natural. The YMCA has this friendly little cafe that serves the community of West Bromwich, they offer coffee, tea, hot meals, treats, and pretty much all the things you would go to a cafe for.

When I first arrived I was very excited to see that they had fair trade sugar. Then discovered, to my surprise, that the fair trade sugar was going into Nescafe coffee! Now what sense does that make? It completely negates the point. How could anyone, who would listen, excersie fair trade, and still support Nescafe coffe? True its a bit more expensive BUT so worth it for the people behind the growing and producing of coffee! Maybe the cafe did not know. Well finally six months later....we were heard, when it wasn't only me the "righteous" and zealous American, but also our new Chaplain Evan saying we really should be serving fair trade products in the cafe.

So, now the cafe will begin serving fair trade coffee and tea and over the next few months serving all fair trade products. Who knows, cocoa, chocolate, and more. A small step for the YMCA cafe but another giant step for the growers and fair traders. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more blood in our coffee ;-)

Peace, latte and cheers!
Monisha