A Starbucks Round-Up

There has been quite a bit of talk about Starbucks and their available coffees. Most has been about how if Starbucks could serve more certified coffees, the benefits to producing countries would be ten fold of what it is now. I have written several times about Starbucks on this blog and have featured reports on the Starbucks Challenge but I have not talked much about what Starbucks really serves and what they have to offer in the organic or shade grown areas that are also important to me. Coffee and Conservation has a nice round up of a few blends and beans that are organic and/or shade grown. Questionable commitment or not, many people go to Starbucks and want to know -- or should know -- about which coffees are their most responsible. Starbucks is doing something with responsible coffees -- just not as much as some of us wish. Keep doing the challenge but please, and I say this often, take the challenge in hopes of an outcome rich in Fair Trade Certified options -- not out of spite for a large coffee company or the barista pulling your drink. The idea is to promote Fair Trade not to bash the barista. Starbucks has done quite a bit for the American specialty coffee industry and have been a leader in introducing people to coffee -- no matter how dark it is. I challenge Starbucks to now be a leader in the quest for global change and support. ..be bold Tagged: Starbucks Challenge, Cafe Evoke, starbucks, Fair Trade