Joey - by way of explanation, Phil happens to know that I’m involved with a non-coffee charity which seeks to help the sick and the poor in some parts of the world. Therefore, I happen to be very interested in such schemes.
Forgive me if I don’t comment on Fairtrade. I’ve heard a lot about it both for and against, but prefer not to offer a view.
With regard to aid in general, please forgive me if I point you first to an item on our own website, in which the Adam Smith Institute queried the whole question of fair trade (small F !) It’s at
http://www.adamsmith.org/pdf/groundsforcomplaint.pdf You may disagree entirely with them, but it’s worth reading.
With regard to the Rainforest Alliance, I have only just finished an interview with Simon Wakefield of the British importers DR Wakefield, the first British importer of RFA-certified coffee, and Sabrina Vigilante, marketing manager of the Alliance, but haven’t finished writing it yet. The word ‘Rainforest’ is rather a narrow description of their incredibly wide activities. They do far more than the name suggests in terms of all-round social and environmental care. (When I queried it, they explained that ‘rainforest’ was a word with which the general public identified, so they stuck with it!) If you want to contact them directly, and care to mail me privately, I’ll supply their e-mail addresses, rather than post them in public. I will say I was impressed. They will be happy to answer questions from you.
With regard to the RFA again, there is in our current issue two features which may interest you – Simon Bower af Pollards, and Ian Balmforth of Bolling, two British roasters who have things to say about the Rainforest Alliance. I believe I’ve sent you a copy of the magazine, but if not, I’ll email PDFs of those pages. I’ll try and put them on the Coffee House website soon.
With regard to Coffee Kids, I’m trying to find an interview I did with Bill Fishbein a year or so ago, and I’ll post it either on my website or direct to you when I find it. Meanwhile, I will say that I like both him and his organization – he is deeply committed to the entire social care of the communities with whom he works. I happen to think this is the right way to do things – consider the healthcare, the education, and other social issues surrounding the farmers. Have a look at
www.coffeekids.org
For what I think is an interesting supporting feature on a company who works with Bill, have a look at a story about Percol, the first British company to support Coffee Kids.
http://www.coffee-house.org.uk/percol.html
If you happen to know Stephen Hurst, the Coffee Hunter, from the British company Mercanta, you might care to ask him about some of the social-care programmes being practiced in Costa Rica, which he happened to show me there earlier this year. He too will be very pleased to help you. May I suggest that you send a private message to peterj of this forum, who met a grower-supplier of his during that same recent trip to Central America, and who I believe may be able to give you some interesting background of that farmer’s circumstances.
I do hope this will be a start.
All the best – and I offer my profound respect to anyone who considers ethical sourcing for the right reasons!
-IanB