What's New

Just wondering whatever happened to winter? It's February 6th and my Siberian Iris's are about 4 inches high AND my witch-hazel bush has started to bloom!!!

Holy singing beans, Batman! We're featured in a music video courtesy of Cuppa Change, www.cuppachange.com, one of our fantastic clients and community partners which has been selling AG coffee to raise monies in support of Free the Children and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. So far Cuppa Change fairtrade efforts have resulted in two schoolhouses in Kenya and Haiti. So go on and listen to the catchy Cuppa Change song by Celia Palli and watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR2Roy2BlFc

So how about selling Fairtrade and organic products for a good cause? We've got custom roasted coffees, teas, and chocolate to get you started!  Many school clubs and groups use our products to fundraise for great projects. Have one in mind? Give us a call and we will be happy to help, the number is 416-534-6335.

Here's something cool! Kieran, a cycling afficionado and fairtrade & vegan advocate from Vancouver, sent us word about his amazing bike adventure: A journey from Canada to South America on two wheels fueled by a vegan-only diet with the purpose to connect with the small fairtrade producers responsible for all the good and just stuff we consume here in the north. So far he has visited our compañeros at Maya Vinic in Chiapas, and COPROCAEL in Honduras! Kieran is currently in Colombia and has been keeping a blog that includes pics and videos. For more, visit Kieran's Fairtrade Bike Ride at www.fairtradebikeride.org

Gentrification or Revitalization? Drop by the Café Thursday Feb. 23, from 7-8:30 pm for a public talk on the transformation of our communities with Kim Jackson (Enviromental Studies, York U) and Brendon Goodmurphy (Urban Planning and Community Development, U of T). This is event is open to the all and is co-sponsored by Painting Our Stories and Community Arts Practice at York University. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/paintingourstories

Did you hear?! Roncey is a contender for the greatest neighbourhood in the country in a contest sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners. As fellow neighbourhood loyalists and unabashed Roncey lovers, we urge you to vote, and vote often! We are inching towards victory, with the Woodfield neighbourhood in London Ontario still leading by 1,000 votes. So spread the word!!! www.cip-icu.ca/greatplaces/en/place.asp?id=5969

Hey! So what is up with these rumours about closing the High Park Zoo? Well, rumour also has it that its running cost is around $250,00 a year? This is the "gravy"?? We wonder if all the school classes would agree, let alone all of its fans.  A petition is available on Councillor Doucette's website - share it far and wide or make up your own and send it to councillor_doucette@toronto.ca. From another ward but want to help out? Call your city councillor, talk to your neighbours and friends, and teachers - spread the word. Riverdale managed to avoid the axe so all things are possible (even transit city?). We'd love to hear if there are any other efforts afoot to save the zoo. Use the contact form on our website to share!

Bean Updates!

EXTRA EXTRA!! Love our artisan and freshly roasted coffees but can't always make it to our shop? No worries, you can now get your fix online! Just click on the Shop Now! Cart icon on the top right corner of this page and you will be taken to our very own coffee web boutique. So go on, visit and shop and spread the good news, www.alternativegrounds.com/shop

You might have noticed that in place of our beloved Maya Vinic dark roast, the name Organic Mexican dark roast: REDCAFES' Cerro de Cintepec has appeared instead. The not-so-good news was that Maya Vinic did not have as much coffee as they had planned. The good news is that to make up the short-fall, we met the folks at Cerro de Cintepec! The coop is located in the southern part of Mexico near Veracruz - check it out further by clicking the producer section of our web page. At a medium roast this coffee shines brightly and in the dark, you can't help but notice is milk chocolatey softness. You have until May to try it as this is when the Maya Vinic will be returnig to our shelves. Explore and enjoy!

Fairtrade headline! Today, with TransFair USA leaving the FLO system and launching its own version of "Fair Trade for All" – we see a lot of jostling for position on who has the ultimate "authority" to dictate the future path of fair trade and to re-write the standards. There is still a lot of dust left to settle. Yet we can already categorically reject the theory promoted by "Fair Trade for All" that by working with large scale plantations and with trans-national corporations – the volume of transactions will trickle down and translate into greater economic impact for marginalized farmers and farm workers.. Read the rest on Cooperative Coffees Position on Fairtrade here.

Heads up fellow coffee-lovers: This probably will not come as a surprise to many of you as coffee has been in the news a lot this past year. Everybody has been talking about price, and now so are we; as of Febuary 1st our retail and wholesale coffee prices will increase by 10%.

Another "worth sharing" link is to a study which delves in the impact of fairtrade on the lives of banana producers in the Windward Islands (West Indies), the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Ghana. This independent study was commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation (the UK labeling initiative of FLO) and  carried out by the Institute of Development Studies (U of Sussex).

Heard about Faitrade Proof? It is one of Coop Coffees' initiatives which addresses "transparency" in fairtrade transactions made by its members. At www.fairtradeproof.org, you can trace the beans you love from farmer to roaster (including AG), and learn about the intricate yet rewarding inner workings of fairtrade partnerships.

At the Cafe

Interested in making your musical debut or showcasing your talents at the cafe? Contact us at cafe@alternativegrounds.com

Live Green Members welcomed! If you are a card carrying member of the Live Green Toronto program, show your card next time you stop by the cafe for a special offer available to members only. For more info about the program and to register, visit www.livegreencard.ca/business/141

Free WIFI, yes indeed!  Our connectivity comes to us thanks in part to Wireless Toronto, a not-for-profit community group dedicated to bringing no-fee wireless access to Toronto. WT aims to build community through interesting and innovative ways. You can find out more about them at www.wirelesstoronto.ca.

Have you tried the NEW Keep Cups? They are a must-have for the java warrior on the go!! These travel companions fit perfectly under our espresso machine, have a great tight lid (no spills or splashes), and are light and unbreakable. Best of all, these cups are made of safe food grade plastic and at the end of their lives, they can be recycled - so you can take out without costing the earth a whole lot. They are only $12.50 - a great gift for yourself or a special coffee addict in your life!

Introducing the Mavea water pitcher with filter - beautiful and incredibly efficient! Made in Germany, the filter allows for more consistent flow and filtration than those currently on the market. The handle sports a chip that tells you the length of time the filter has been in use, the volume filtered and the hardness of the water. Additionally, it tells you when it's time for a change (an average of 2 months). Best of all, the filters are recycled - You can bring them back to us, or go to the Maeva webstie and print a pre-paid label shipping label. Two different sizes of water pitchers, and extra filters are in stock at the cafe now!  Given that coffee is 98% water, what better way to love your beans!!

In our Artspace

This month, explore the art of photography through the work of Molly Bannerman. Molly is, ....well, a local creative person.  Without any art or photography training, Molly has enjoyed taking random snaps of artistic expression in communities that shift and evolve.  This series of pictures is taken at a small bicycle cafe in downtown Toronto called Sonic.  The images capture individual creative thoughts expressed in public spaces. Of her work and process, Molly explains:

"Artistic expression is displayed throughout our communities, and for me, the act of witnessing this expression has brought a sense of stillness to spaces of chaos. These images remind me to observe my surroundings, and to notice the expressions other people have left behind without knowing how they will be perceived or transformed by those witnessing them.  By sharing these images, my hope is to carry forward the expressions of other people's insights, through the lens with which I have captured them, and into the eyes of others who will shape them into yet another perception or understanding".

Interested in displaying your work in the cafe? Contact us @ cafe@alternativegrounds.com if you wish to showcase your work on our walls.

Events.. out & about!

The DREAMS Team at U of T is hosting its Open Mic night Tuesday Feb. 7th. DREAMS stands for “Dominican Republic Education and Medical Support” and its goal is to help alleviate poverty in the DR while facilitating students with on-hands experience on the ground through participation in community development projects. Visit their website for more info www.reams.sa.utoronto.ca and if you check out the event, try the java - it's on us!!

The Canadian Organic Growers and the Big Carrots are hosting "Your Food, Your Choice. The Value of Organic" conference Saturday February 18, from 9am-5pm at U of T Conference Centre (89 Chesnut Street). Registration $65 (after Feb. 5, $85) for non members with special rates for students, seniors and unwaged. For more info call 416-466-4420 or visit www.cogtoronto.org/COG_Toronto/Conference_2012.html

Swansea PS is hosting a Pub Night February 24th at Earth restaurant on Bloor West Village.  Tickets are also available at the school office or through swanseapubnight@nafor.com. Each ticket is $40 and includes a $25 gift card for Earth restaurant. Proceeds from this event will fund upgrades to the library, gym, music program and IT department.  For those attending, look out for our very special coffee-themed basket and please bid, bid, bid and support this fine west-end institution!

On Wednesday Feb. 29th, Development & Peace, Jesuit Forum, KAIROS Canada, and the Anglican & United Churches of Canada are co-hosting "Remembering Bishop Samuel Ruiz: Justice & Indigenous Rights in Mexico and Canada".  The evening will include an ecumenical memorial service at 5:30 pm and a public forum at 7pm (featuring keynote speaker Father José Avilés Arriola, Vicar for Justice and Peace forthe Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico). This event will be held at Loretto College, Blue Room, 70 St. Mary Street (near Bay & Bloor). For more information contact srumsey@pwrdf.org

It's back! The Toronto Human Rights Watch Film Festival, a project of Human Rights Watch Canada, brings this month to the big screen "human rights abuses through storytelling in a way that challenges individuals to empathize and demand justice for all people".  This year's festival will be held at the TIFF lightbox between February 29- March 9. Tickets are available at the door for most screenings, or in advance by calling 416-599-TIFF (8433). For more info visit www.humanrightsfilmfestival.ca.

Lastly, kudo's to Zatoun and their impressive list of events! From book launches and film screenings to workshops and talks, they have something for everyone all year-round. Make sure to check the always packed calendar at  www.beitzatoun.org/cms/events.aspx

Reminder!! The Sorauren Farmers Market! Every Monday between 3-7 pm.

In the spotlight!     

This month we wanted to bring to your attention St. John's Bakery. Alternative Grounds and our patrons have been supporting and savouring their creations since their beginnings in the church basement many years ago. Their commitment to building inclusive community is inspirational and the "proof" of what they do is in their pudding, er bread!

You can visit them at 153 Broadview Ave.,  Tuesday-Friday from 8:30-6:00 pm and Saturday til 4:00 pm.  At Alternative Grounds you can enjoy their sourdough bread with our yummy vegan soups or (my personal favourite) a toasted whole wheat english muffin with butter and honey!! See www.stjohnbakery.com for more info. 

Educate/Advocate!

Interested in learning more about Fairtrade, Organics and Social Justice? Make sure to check our Resources page for more info and great links!

How about joining the movement to get this city of ours certified as a Fairtrade Town? join the discussion and campaign at www.fairtradetoronto.ca.

Fairtrade keeners, do you read Coop Coffee's monthly newsletter? It's a great resource containing fantastic articles, links and updates (ie. Equal Exchange's piece by  Phyllis Robinson on Transfair USA's name change to "Fair Trade USA” featuring clever illustratins like the one on the right).

We highly recommend subscribing to the  Fair World Project's newsletter at www.fairworldproject.org. This publication provides great info on a broad spectrum of fairtrade enterprises as well as intelligent commentary on some of the latest issues brewing in the fairtrade world.

Newsflash (as posted on www.fairtraderesource.org)! Cooperative Coffees' products have been officially certified under IMO’s “Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certified” program. The program was founded in 2006 by the Institute for Marketology (IMO) and the Swiss Bio-Foundation in response to the growing need for a system that included a broader range of products and operations. “Fair for Life” complements existing certifications by incorporating standards from FLO, ISEAL, Rainforest Alliance, SA 8000 (from Social Accountability International) and ILO (all Cooperative Coffees products are Fair Trade Certified by FLO). Hear, hear!

Remember, if you want to become better acquainted with our fairtrade pricing policy, check out the Fairtrade section of this 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.

Remember to check out our Greenstuff section for tips and suggestions to help us soften our collective and individual carbon footprint! In this section you'll find neat and fun ideas for the use and re-use of our burlap/jute bags, paper bags, etc.  And we bet your compost could use a little of our coffee chaff to lighten its load!! If you are indeed interested, give Linda a call at 416-534-6335

More Good Stuff!!

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 developmental dissabilities, does a mean lunch! For the scoop, contact info@commongroundco-op.ca or 416-686-1906

If you have been to the cafe recently, you will have noticed a few changes, not least of which includes our new menu of vegan soups. These come to us from Sunny of Vegan Delights. A well-known caterer, you can now find some of his creations at the cafe. Watch for new menu items. You can check out his website at www.vegandelights.ca.or www.sunnyvegan.com

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. So give us a call at 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!!