The upcoming Presidential contest on November 2nd has the staff here at Café Campesino thinking about the whole concept of fair elections, both in this country and around the world. Tripp offers his musings on the subject in this month's issue of Fair Grounds. In celebration of Fair Trade month, Bill looks at the mission beyond the marketing of Fair Trade coffee. We've also got a Community Caravan update, Fair Trade partner and customer profiles, a recipe, a Fair Trade fact, a coffee joke, a new trivia question and more. Read on and enjoy…

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Though it's easy to complain about the electoral process here in the United States, we actually have it good. We live in a country where we have the opportunity to choose our leaders. But given our busy lives, over-saturation with information and spin, and the plethora of differing points of view and convictions, it’s easy to get distracted from the task at hand…to make our elections work well and effect change for the better.

In 2002, President Jimmy Carter traveled to East Timor to observe and support the country’s first presidential elections, which would culminate in the birth of this century’s first new nation — the Republic of East Timor. Home to Café Campesino’s Fair Trade coffee partner Cooperativa Café Timor, East Timor showed the world what citizens and their representatives can accomplish in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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I first heard this phrase uttered by a friend and fellow coffee roaster as we passionately discussed why we do what we do. A mission… not a market. The world of Fair Trade is rapidly changing in a variety of ways: labels, campaigns, branding, partnerships, creative marketing, misrepresentations, accusations, opportunities, threats and so on. When Café Campesino sold our first pound of fresh roasted coffee to Lee’s Bakery/Deli over six years ago, we did so as one of only a few coffee companies in the US committed to the concept of Fair Trade. We first learned of Fair Trade from cooperatives in Guatemala which were growing great coffee but desperately needed customers for their product. This experience – walking with farmers through their fields, listening to their concerns and dreams, sensing their determination – is the foundation upon which we have built our company.

Six years later we operate in a very different, exciting and sometime exasperating environment. Over 300 coffee companies now offer Fair Trade coffee as an option for their customers. Campaigns organized by Oxfam America, Global Exchange, TransFair USA, Coop America and many others have helped place the issue of fair international trade front and center in the coffee industry. And – thank goodness - the industry has responded.

Read more…

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Thanks to all of you who took our online survey to help us improve the way we do business. Keep it coming! The offer still stands – complete the survey and we’ll ship you a free box of tea with your next order!

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Thanks goes out to everyone who participated in BRAG this past weekend — and a special thanks to Victoria and Geoffrey who made sure everyone had a cup of fresh Café Campesino BRAG Blend when they needed one!

This weekend, we are thrilled to participate in Americus’ first Pecan Festival! Lee, Tripp and Bill will be serving up Café Campesino coffee while also introducing our new Fair Trade store — Three Frontiers Trading Company – with Tripp’s wife Marysol.

If you plan on being in Tuscaloosa on October 27th, be sure to join Tripp and Bill for a number of presentations on Fair Trade…email Tripp at tripp@cafecampesino.com if you would like more information.

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The Earth is a small health food store that first opened its doors in 1969! They are located in the heart of Norman, Oklahoma, and are one of the college town’s original neighborhood markets. The Earth gives a "pedestrian discount" of 10% for those who arrive on bike or foot. They also purchase wind power from their local electric company. The Earth proudly serves Café Campesino coffee in their deli along with mostly organic vegetarian fare. Owners Richard & Kate Haas comment, "it is inspiring to see more and more customers who are concerned with fair trade, organic products," adding, "the more, the merrier!" The Earth Natural Foods’ telephone number is 405-364-3551, but if you are ever in Norman (or need a good reason to go there), be sure to visit The Earth!

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This month’s Fair Trade partner is JAMTOWN…a place that's not on any map! It's a place you visit when you play live rhythm with your friends; a subtle reminder of the common bond shared by all people. And it's as accessible today as it was thousands of years ago. As a Fair trade Federation Member, JAMTOWN supports artisans with fair wages and more! JAMTOWN carefully chooses indigenous instruments that are affordable, durable and sound great. JAMTOWN and its founder John Hayden also facilitate school, business and community events featuring hands-on participation with rhythm instruments. To learn more, visit JAMTOWN at www.jamtown.com.

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We're giving away coffee! 

Think you know a lot about coffee? Then enter our Fair Grounds Trivia Contest. Click here for our question of the month. Entering is easy and it's FUN!

Last month's Coffee Knowledge Winner was Thomas Watson who evidently has a "nose" for this kind of question. He was able to tell us that Brazil produced a scented postage stamp in 2001 to promote its coffee. Congratulations Thomas!

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– Bertrand Russell

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• September 2004 Producer News: CECOCAFEN in the Off Season, Customer Spotlight: The Healthy Gourmet
• August 2004 Producer Profile: Cooperativa Café Timor, Fair Trade Friends: Marketplace of India
• July 2004 A Fair Trade Reality Check, Fair Trade Friends: Tribal Fiber, Coffee Lab International
• June 2004 The Promise of Fair Trade, Fair Trade Friend: Global Crafts
• May 2004 Fair Trade at the Carter Center, SCAA meeting.
• April 2004 Coffee and Community in Nicaragua, Fair Trade in Americus Makes the News!
• March 2004 Fair Trade chocolate, Rosetta's Kitchen
• February 2004 Bill's Return to Guatemala, Guayakí Rainforest
• January 2004 Espresso - What's the Buzz?
• December 2003 Fair Trade: Global Exchange's Fair Trade Challenge; Fellow Fair Traders: SERRV International
• November 2003 Fair Trade: More Than Just a Fair Price; Fellow Fair Traders: Lucuma Designs
• October 2003 Exploring the Coffee Regions
• September 2003 Cooperative Coffees Annual Meeting
• August 2003 Fair Trade Friends: Oxfam America; The Art (and Science) of Roasting Coffee
• July 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra
• June 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Guatemala; Gayo Mountain Adventure; Dr. Coffee - Cupping
• May 2003 Fair Trade Friends: United Students for Fair Trade; World Fair Trade Day
• April 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Ethiopia; Celebrating Earth Day with Fair Trade
• March 2003 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 2; SWP Decaffeination
• February 2002 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 1
• January 2003 My Life as a Bean
• December 2002 Exploring Our Origins: East Timor; Sustainable Development
• November 2002 New Website; Gift Baskets
• October 2002 Interview with roaster Lee Harris
• September 2002 ForesTrade Wins UN Sustainability Award; Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra's Gayo Cooperative
• August 2002 Producer News: Shade Grown; Fair Trade Friends: Atlanta Audubon
• July 2002 Exploring Our Origins: Colombia
• June 2002 Back Roads Journal: Cooperative Coffees and Café Campesino; Exploring Our Origins: Peru; Fair Trade Friends: Music of the Andes
• May 2002 Staff Notes: Cinco de Mayo; Producer News: Visit to Mut Viz; Back Roads Journal: SCAA Meeting
• April 2002 Back Roads Journal: Travels in Fair Trade; Customer Composting Tip