Monday, February 10, 2003


1 in 8 children starving?

"the [u.n. world food programme]'s director in nicaragua, krystina bednarska, says that 45% of under five-[year-old]s in these regions are chronically malnourished."

"one in eight children is starving as a direct result in the loss of income from the coffee crop, and no one knows how many children have died. in just one hospital, 18 children have died of malnutrition in 2003."

these two quotes come from the usually reliable bbc. they have a disturbing article today on the effects of the world-price depression in coffee prices (the so-called "coffee crisis") on the children of the coffee-growing areas of nicaragua.

in a few days, i hope to have my guest bloggers post their views on various amusing and highly charged subjects. and when the anti-fair-trade/anti-organic rules posts come, please think: are these coffee importers and roasters just belly-aching about their own paperwork?

do they have a clue or any concern at all for the children of nicaragua? does paying an extra US$0.10 or US$0.20 per pound really endanger these importers/roasters/traders?

and finally, would consumers -- in an evironment where folgers raised its prices US$0.60 last year -- notice a US$0.20 increase in coffee coming from these independent business people?

but this aside, dear readers, once again i urge you to consider a small donation to that excellent charity coffeekids. . .they have active projects in nicaragua and can help. . .

finally, one last thing: a couple of my guest posters a still a little new to the net. i know we'll be patient with them and happy to see what have to say!

posted by fortune | 4:24 PM | top | link to this | email this: | | | 0 comments