Tuesday, April 15, 2003


2 great articles. . .

the first: a really superior discussion of the world-price depression known as the coffee crisis, with some nice figures that are hard to obtain elsewhere.

long-time readers know i've been worried about bankrupt coffee farmers resorting to illegal drugs to make ends meet. every time i've talked about this, however, i've been pish-toshed by by strident readers.

finally however i can quote an excellent source: the head of the i.c.o. himself. " 'it’s a crisis with a social dimension that is politically explosive,' [nestor] osorio explains. on a recent trip to colombia, for instance, osorio says he saw aerial photographs of coffee farms planted with new coca crops."

the plight of the coffee farmer and worker isn't a distant one, dear readers. unlike situations where celebrities call for help for those far away, those who honestly may have little or no discernable affect on your life, the coffee workers are with you every day in your kitchen, your office, your car, your favorite cafe.

the beans you are drinking are the direct result of their labor, which comes straight to you in the cup you're holding. thus i urge everyone to learn more about the great work done by coffeekids. . .

but further, i hope you will realize how both you and the coffee worker are being totally ripped off by the large multi-national corporations named in the article, corporations that work to depress prices for farmers while selling you inferior coffee at ever-higher prices.

which is also why i encourage everyone to support high-quality fresh specialty coffee from your local independent roaster or coffeehouse.

the second: a truly charming story about how a group of sweet nuns are using the internet to promote and develop their traditional handmade chocolate business.

as the article notes, new technology has allowed them to be more efficient on the business and paperwork side, leaving "more time and energy for the spiritual tasks: prayer and making chocolate."

chocolate as a spiritual task: that's an approach to life even we worldings at bccy can appreciate! no one will mistake the nuns' humble fudges for the sensual delights offered by jacques torres or richard donnelly. but i can say that i know both donnelly and the nuns do consider their art in this same way. . .

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