Oh, and earlier you said something about paying an extra $1.50 for a fair trade coffee. I reckon coffee prices vary more according to the particular shop than anything else. In fact, a poor coffee from a tiny kiosk cost about the same as one from Campos or even Fair Trade.

Direct Trade sounds great, but will it ever become the common way people buy coffee? I think the majority of Australians aren’t aware that Nescafe isn’t the pinacle of coffee culture.

It’s becoming surprisingly more commonplace in the industry, and there are people who tour the globe buying micro-lots directly
from the growers on behalf of a bunch of coffee collectives.

Don’t worry, I have big plans for the Central Coast coffee scene Educating the masses! Down with Nescafe and its evil compatriots.

“FT guarantees a minimum price per pound, not a minimum wage for the farmers. Even farmers working on FT certified farms could be being paid unfairly.”
A great point – we discussed this at phat. Its not the ultimate solution, for sure. I think someone mentioned ‘slave free’ chocolate, but I’m not sure if that’s actually real or not.

Direct Trade sounds great, but will it ever become the common way people buy coffee? I think the majority of Australians aren’t aware that Nescafe isn’t the pinacle of coffee culture.

Here’s some more things to think about … where do you buy your clothes? Are they made in a sweat shop? Even in Australia we have a lot of migrant workers working in terrible conditions for below legal pay rates.

What about all your computer gizmo stuff. Drew told me recently about these Indian workers who melt down old motherboards(?) to get the metal components out of them. They usually live for two-three years after taking the job as they are exposed to mercury and lead (I can’t remember the details, and know nothing about computers stuff).

Also, I’m not sure how it works with cocoa, but in coffee FT guarantees a minimum price per pound, not a minimum wage for the farmers. Even farmers working on FT certified farms could be being paid unfairly.

Also, just ’cause it seems to have been overlooked in the above discussions, cocoa and coffee don’t just come from Africa! Both crops are also grown extensively in South and Central America, PNG, Indonesia, India, etc.

It is a right and good thing to be thinking through how we can support the cause of the needy and the oppressed, I’m just not sure Fair Trade as it currently exists is doing a good job. I’ve been a bit frustrated lately with lots of people I know jumping on the Fair Trade bandwagon and thinking it will fix all the world’s problems.

One of the other positives of the third wave has been the increasing popularity of direct trade. It’s a win-win for everyone. The farmers get paid substantially more than they would dealing on the open market, the roaster’s get a quality product, as the well-paid farmers are now super-motivated to produce high quality gear, and the middle men are cut out (does this sound like I’m talking about illicit substances?!).

This comment is now so long I can’t remember where it started …

If someone can’t start the day without a coffee, I’d call it an addiction.

Hahaha kindy gym. Those were the days… what’s OT?

Regarding what i said about price going up and people buying less. This is the case, but it also depends on how much of an individuals disposable income is needed in buying the good. So if i say i love tic tacs and the price goes up 100%. Im likely still to buy them because the prices is still relatively low compared to my disposable income. Make sense?

Rubbish. And petrol prices are just reflecting inflation too, right?

Yes i do reckon people will buy less. If a jar of coffee goes up to $50 for 500g tomorrow will you buying the same amount? Or will you be looking for substitute goods and using your other $45 elsewhere? I don’t kno how much you like your coffee, but i know alot of people that would soon find their coffee addiction less addictive.

Ok, I don’t buy ‘jars’ of coffee. That stuff is EVIL. I buy greens, usually pretty much direct from the importer, and roast my own coffee, so I’m talking price of greens, not that instant rubbish that is the root of all evil.

I also don’t ‘do’ caffeine addiction. Get on the third wave man! Coffee’s not about caffeine anymore. The third wave is all about coffee as a culinary experince, not a ‘hit’.

A bit OT, but I’ve gotta go to Kindy Gym so…

Haha VK, I do know how much Michelle likes her coffee. A lot. Here’s the thing: what is the natural substitute for coffee? There are very few hot drinks like it. Americans find tea too weak, hot chocolate is not so good for you, and neither have the caffeine boost to which our culture is so addicted!

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I’ll write more after I’ve submitted this greek homework. (eek! 25 mins!)

Alot of other supermarket goods have had large increases. For example..
Natural confectionery/Starburst – About a year ago these were under $2 in most super markets, now they are $2.50 a pack. Thats a 20% increase in 1 year. (I know my confectionery )
A little side note, do you know after an item has been place on special the price usually goes up with a new ticket on the shelf?

“All this price go up, people buy less … you reckon?”
Yes i do reckon people will buy less. If a jar of coffee goes up to $50 for 500g tomorrow will you buying the same amount? Or will you be looking for substitute goods and using your other $45 elsewhere? I don’t kno how much you like your coffee, but i know alot of people that would soon find their coffee addiction less addictive.