Justice

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Coffee from the Big Four.
by Team 01639.



Crisis

by Team 01639.There are many things the individual consumer can do to improve problems with the coffee market. Avoid buying coffee from the Big Four coffee companies. Instead, support independent coffee importers and producers by buying specialty coffee. If the big coffee companies lose their market share, they will be forced to change their business practices.

It is important to let the Big Four coffee companies know why you are not buying coffee from them. Write them letters explaining why you have decided to buy specialty coffee. Be sure to mention that low coffee prices adversely affect the livelihoods of thousands of people in coffee producing nations. Ask them why they are opposed to legislation prohibiting low-quality coffee. Ask why the International Coffee Organization’s recommendations have not been implemented. If the big coffee companies receive enough knowledgeable letters expressing concern about the condition of the coffee market, they may be forced to change their buying methods.

Fair Trade Coffee
sold at a supermarket
– USA.
by Team 01639.Talk to as many friends and acquaintances as you can about this issue. Tell them that the quality of regular supermarket coffee has been falling due to the coffee crisis. Coffee companies are buying up cheap, low-grade coffee and passing it off as good-quality coffee. They try to mask the bad taste of this coffee by steaming it or adding chemical flavours.

Low coffee prices have dire consequences on the lives and livelihoods of coffee farmers. Coffee prices are so low that farmers do not even receive enough to cover their cost of production. As a result, they do not have money for basic necessities. They are often forced to take their children out of school and they must seek employment away from home. In order to support their families, many farmers take to growing drug producing plants such as opium or cocaine.

International coffee
marketed by Kraft.
by Team 01639.There are many benefits to buying specialty coffee. Not only will you be getting a great cup of coffee, you will also be providing a living wage to coffee producers and exporters. Fewer farmers will be forced to grow illegal drug plants, improving the quality of life both here and in the coffee producing nations. By supporting specialty coffee producers, you are ensuring the prosperous future of the entire coffee industry.

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