tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045541.post1988820016655630336..comments2023-06-25T05:08:40.773-05:00Comments on Amanda Peterson: Make it FairAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945020183566762193noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045541.post-89107017154851108802008-06-27T00:34:00.000-05:002008-06-27T00:34:00.000-05:00Thanks for your comment, anonymous. I actually tot...Thanks for your comment, anonymous. I actually totally agree with you that the fair trade seal is not complete assurance. But it's a start. For a lot of people fair trade--here meaning fair trade practices--is a very complex subject. For your average consumer, that certified status is a good place to start. And I find that my average reader is that average consumer. Like I said in my post, I do not know about Peet's practices and thus chose not to purchase from them. I did do some research on the company later.<BR/><BR/>I can't speak for all "fair trade" labels, but I've done the research into the TransFair USA label. They are nonprofit based--meaning their money is coming from donations and grants. Of the organizations I've come across, I think they have done the best at "selling" the message. And let's face it we live in a time of consumption. Everything has a sales pitch, and those who pitch well are the messages that get through to the general public. Just saying, maybe give a little more credit to nonprofits who have successful marketing. They are getting there message to the public, and movements of change begin there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14945020183566762193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8045541.post-56810036004549878272008-06-26T18:12:00.000-05:002008-06-26T18:12:00.000-05:00if you are concerned about the plight of coffee fa...if you are concerned about the plight of coffee farmers, the fair trade seal should hardly be an assurance that the coffee you are buying is paying any higher of a price than the most generic grade coffees. in fact, the fair trade price for coffee is actually about 20% lower than the commodity coffee price. you have to be wary of symbols. the often only represent an idea, not actual practice. coffee buyers like peet's and other smaller quality focussed retailers regularly pay above "fair trade" prices for their coffees. "fair trade" has done a lot of great work in educating the public to the hard life of a coffee farmer, but there are hundreds of certifications out there. they all do great things. fair trade has just been the most successfully marketed. successful marketing usually means successful marketing professionals. successful marketing professionals means big dollars in their bank accounts. where does that money come from? im just saying...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com