WHAT'S NEW!
We have made it to MARVELLOUS MAY!
Thanks! to those who came out on the 7th when we hosted Santiago Paz from CEPICAFE/Norandino (Peru) who included us in his busy speaking tour of North America and France!! Santiago led us in a spirited and intimate discussion on the "future of fairtrade" which helped us explore the history of this movement, its current state, the many complexities involved in moving forward and the issue of corporate involvement. Thanks also go to Sylvie from Coop Coffees who translated and has been accompanying Santiago on this tour. And for those who could not come, well, the discussion is not over and we invite all of you to take a moment to reflect and ask yourselves about the future of Fair Trade and the steps we need to take in order to maintain this valuable experiment alive and flourishing, and viable as an option for the sustainable development of producer communities in the global South and expanding consumer awareness in the global North. We welcome your feedback!!!
To celebrate Fairtrade Weeks (May 1st - 15th), we want everyone to Write it Up Right! Throughout the month of May, you can put pen to postcard and write to the growers of your favourite brew. Mad about that Mexican? Let the folks at Maya Vinic know! Is it that deep dark Dominican that makes your heart beat faster? Share the love with the folks at FEDECARES who grow it!! We have postcards in a basket by the cash that you can write to your hearts content. Drop them in our groovy mailbox that Gabe is checking out below, and at the end of May, A.G. will send them off to our coop partners. I think it is a great way to celebrate Fairtrade! (if you can not make it to the cafe but want to send a postcard, feel free to do it by email and we will add it to the post)
At the Cafe
Check out the smiley faces frothing, tossing, baking and dishing out goodness at the cafe! This month we say goodbye to: Rebecca, Allyson (who returns, gleefully I might add, to Pelee Island), and Carl who has hooked up with Everdale to continue his journey towards organic farming. Best wishes and Happy Trails to all!
Many of you will be familiar with Los Cuchareros, a spoon making cooperative venture we have been supportive of since I learned of them at the Coop Coffees AGM in Xela (Guatemala) several years ago. Brenda, our cafe manager had a chance to visit the workshop on a recent Coop coffe tour. Check out some great pics and a report of her visit on the Co-ops section of our site or click here. We have a lovely selection of their work for sale at the cafe, just in case you are needing some Mothers Day inspiration!
Beautiful Bike Friday has ensconsed itself at A.G.! Be There or B-Square! That's the last Friday of every month. The whole point is to encourage biking as a healthy form of transportation and to mingle with like-minded folk. So ride your bike to work and enjoy a much-needed cup of fairtrade joe on the house. There is no excuse now that the ice-road has all but melted! See you Friday May 30th @ 8am! You do realize of course that we are talking Bike Month from May 26th to June 21st right? There is tons of cool stuff going on - check it out at www.toronto.ca/cycling/events
We are always looking for Winners! Submit a brilliant idea for the re-use and recycle of our paper, valve and burlap bags and we shall reward your creativity with a pound of our freshest roast. For details on other tried, tested and true ideas submitted by previous winners, visit the Greenstuff section.
In Our Artspace
This month our back room is graced with photos, primarily from Brendas (our cafe manager) recent Coop Coffees trip to Guatemala. These are the faces and places of some of our producer partners. Brenda also has a photo journal - sip, ponder and peruse awhile!
If you are interested in displaying work in the cafe, contact Catherine Mellinger at mellangearts@yahoo.com
Out and About...
(news, announcements & upcoming events)
Rights Action is putting out a call for organizations and community groups interested in planning educational activities and/or coordinating events and activities with Rights Action around the May 20th Shareholder Meeting of Goldcorp Inc. Goldcorp Inc. operates mines throughout the Americas where they are a source of great environmental and health concern. Unbeknownst to them, many US and Canadian citizens are shareholders in Goldcorp. For example, the CPP has over $200,000,000 of investments in Goldcorp. If you are interested, contact info@rightsaction.org
Heads up for May! Saturday May 3rd from 5-7pm should find you at Another Story Book store on Roncie for the launch of "Double Lives: Writing and Motherhood" Look for local talent!
Sunday May 4th from 1 - 11pm is the 8th annual Casa Canadiense Folkfest, in support of a Nicaraguan school lunch program. At the Rancho Relaxo 300 College St. $15 at the door. $7 after 7.
Saturday May 10th 11am - 2pm. The event every gardener waits for!!! The Plant Fair!!! Brought to you by the Parkdale Hort Society. 75 Lansdowne Ave. For details see www.parkdaletoronto.hort.com
Interested in learning more about Fairtrade, Organics and Social Justice?
(Make sure to check our Resources section)
Noticed fairtrade items on the shelfs of large chain supermarkets and retailers lately?? Wondering how significant this action may be? Is corporate involvement good or bad for fairtrade? Here's an article that will shed some light on this topic and how it may affect small-scale farmers and fair-trade initiatives in general. And if you have any comments, thoughts or burning questions, send them our way care of info@alternativegrounds.com. Read the full article here!
Our friends at Zatoun have pointed out for us a great audio documentary on their history! "Zatoun, a life story in 4 parts" is a great way to learn about this great initiative which is supporting the development of fairtrade opportunities in Palestine and helping olive farming cooperatives connect with the North American market. So do check it out at at www.zatoun.com/audiozatoun.htm!
Fellow Coop Coffees member and coffee roaster Dean Cycon has published a great book titled Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee. This is a wonderful exploration of the world of social justice and good coffee from someone who has been there and done that! The book focuses on struggles with globalization, women's rights, environmental concerns, war, responsible business practices and more! So if you are looking for a good read or a great gift idea, drop by the cafe and pick up a copy of Javatrekker! Or follow this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD8EBiQZs3M to a short video produced by Dean featuring Tadesse Meskela, General Manager of the Oromia Coop in Ethiopia.
Also available online is the well-researched radio doc, Building a Just World, produced by local writer Asad Ismi and radio producer Kristin Schwartz (CKLN 88.1 FM). This 3-part series focuses on fair and ethical trade. We have purchased a couple of copies to add to our stock of resources. Contact us if you would like to borrow a copy. And while you are at it, make sure to listen to their newest production The Ravaging of Africa, a four-part radio doc about the destructive impact of U.S. imperialism on Africa, featuring voices of African activists interviewed at the 2007 World Social Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya. And for more info, you can email aismi@can.rogers.com.
Interested in learning more about fairly traded and sweatshop free apparel? Do visit the following websites: Nueva Vida Women's Sewing Cooperative (producers of our swanky organic tshirts!) and Just Shirts Canada (suppliers of the lovely t's we sell at the cafe manufactured by the Single Mothers Cooperative of El Salvador).
Remember, if you want to become better acquainted with our fairtrade pricing policy, check out the "fairtrade" section of the website. We are always on the look-out for great ideas - things that partner well with us and what we are trying to accomplish through Alternative Grounds. So feel free to drop us a line and share suggestions with our staff.
Our Solidarity Corner
Our new canvas AG bags are in! This time they are black (which is great for those of us who tend to get dirty) with a longer handle and snazzy orange (of course!) lettering. They are made by the Single Mothers Cooperative of El Salvador and are just the ticket for carrying pretty much anything! The bags are $10.00 plus tax, with profits going to "Survivors of Domestic Violence Foundation" (Fundacion Sobrevivientes) in Guatemala City. This foundation and its director Norma Cruz came to our attention through the film "Killer's Paradise" co-produced by the NFB and Amnesty. You can learn more about the foundation through their website at www.sobrevivientes.org/apy
Before we forget, the Maquilla Solidartity Network has put out a discussion paper entitled "Is Fairtrade a good fit for the garment industry?" It is well written and researched and can be downloaded at www.maquilasolidarity.org
And heads up! A really great magazine has come our way: Briarpatch: fighting the war on error. Published in Saskatchewan, this monthly mag tackles some tough issues, thoughtfully (and with humour), www.briarpatchmagazine.com
More Good Stuff!!
Curious about where our cafe specials come from? Meet The Local Café! a small for-profit social enterprise and an experiment in local street food, an initiative begun by Carole Ferrari. The Local Café sources locally grown, high quality, environmentally sound, ethical, and fair trade produce and other goods to make really good meals and snacks that are affordable and accessible. You can find them at a wide variety of community events. They provide many of the yummy specials at Alternative Grounds. You can contact them for your event at 416-534-0454 or thelocalcafe@gmail.com.
Need a good Caterer? For those of you who don't know, the folks at Lemon and Allspice who make our yummy gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies (yes they use real butter) also do catering.The company which is run by and for folks with a developmental handicap, does a mean lunch! The shortbread is my personal favourite. You can contact them at lemonallspice@bellnet.ca or 416-686-1906 (yes, I have a vested interest as I am on the board and love what these guys do!!)
We have lots of coffee bags! (burlap and jute) I think there are more uses for them than meets the eye (I know folks have used them for craft projects, carry bags, myriad garden and compost activities). In fact, I'll bet your compost could use a little of our coffee chaff to lighten its load after a long winter!!If you can use chaff or bags give Linda a call at 416-534-6335
We're Passionate About Fairtrade and Love to Share Our Passion! Over the years we have gathered a good collection of articles, books and videos about different aspects of Fairtrade and coffee. These are available for your perusal at the cafe or on loan. We're also available to do slide shows and presentations. Give Linda or Kevin a call, 416-534-6335.
And thanks to...
Gerry for bringing a quotation from the late Tommy Douglas to our attention: "Courage, my friends. It is not too late to build a better world." Words to live by!