September 2003
Last year (2002) in November i began taling with transfair about how to go about getting fairtrade coffee on my campus (Monterey Institute of International Studies). By December i began talking to students and teachers about my idea and the benefits that fairtrade coffee has for small farmers. The students were positive about the change and wanted to see it happen. I then began talking to coffee roasters in California that carries fairtrade coffee. Many roasters sent samples and many of the students came to my house to sample the great coffee. By Febuary we decided what coffee we wanted and i began talking to the food service about changing the service. The food service at MIIS was very supportive and told me they would try it for a few months and see how it sold. We began carrying coffee by Uncommon Grounds, in Berkeley Ca. Right now about 85% of the coffee sold on campus is fairtrade.
This summer i made a trip down to Oaxaca Mexico to see for myself how cooperatives work and what the process is. I met with one of the largest cooperatives in Oaxaca (CEPCO) and they were very friendly. I also met with distributors and small growers. My goal is to return to the small farms and help them find buyers in the US. By the end of 2003 i want to have coffee from a small farm in Oaxaca served at MIIS. I will keep you updated on my accomplishments. If anyone has questions or wants to help, please email me at jason.benford!miis.edu
