The Boston University Consumer Education Group would like to thank Espresso Royale Caffe’s recent support of the fair trade movement. As a result of requests by BU students and community members, Espresso has recently began brewing Equal Exchange fair trade and organically certified coffee sourced from Bolivia. Profit from the fair price received by Bolivian coffee growing families has increased family incomes, improved organic farming methods and strengthened their cooperative.
With its openness to displaying community artwork, its book exchange program and poetry readings, Espresso Royale provides BU students an alternative in the absence of a BU student-run cafe, with a sense of community and open space that is simply not available on the BU campus. Its recent support of fair trade coffee goes beyond its initiative of fostering local community values and also supports the global community. A fair trade option gives the consumers a voice in being able to choose to purchase a product that was produced in a fair manner, providing the producer, in this case a coffee-growing family, with an equitable share of the trade.
Coffee prices are at the lowest in 100 years. In our current global system, coffee farmers simply aren’t able to support their families. This is an example of the current inequitable world system of trade that is perpetuated by unfair global trading rules and practice. As global citizens, BUCEG and the BU community have shown our commitment to promoting justice in the global community.
In truth, creating community starts with each one of us. Please join us in our effort to challenge these injustices, one cup at a time. Next time you are at Espresso Royale, in the GSU at Starbucks or the Center Court, ask for a cup of fair trade coffee, and thank the management for supporting this program. With your support, we are achieving our goal of converting all of the coffee at BU to a 100 percent fair trade certification.
Xandi Aranda, CAS ’03 Founding Member, BUCEG
Rose-Del Adewebi, CAS ’03 President, BUCEG
Shayna Harris, CAS ’03 Vice President, BUCEG