NEWS: Another Starbucks Success
Did the challenge at another Starbucks recently - 125 Kings Road, Chelsea, London.Got my FT coffee no problem...I am three for three right now and am impressed. Plus Starbucks continue to set a new standard for ethical behaviour: Our good friend Nick at Triple Pundit reports that:
Starbucks has recently been honored by the National Recycling Coalition for upping the recycled content in their cups sufficiently to save five million pounds of tree fiber annually.
Of course we know they are not perfect...who is? But we must encourage and reward their positive behaviour. Right? Am sure some of you will agree and others will disagree.
Thoughts?
Namaste
CH
ps we have been in touch with Cindy of Starbucks...will keep you posted...she is a breath of fresh air to talk with.
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posted by City Hippy @ 10:23 PM
8 Comments:
tried it in Starbucks on Moorgate too. No problem
Superb Simon...thanks for taking part...if you see any more and you have time feel free to give them a go too and let us know.
Have added your comment to our feed.
Namaste
Al
Hello,
Saw your website about the "Starbucks challenge." I went to one of the only two Starbucks in Williamsburg, Virginia, the one in the Monticello shopping center. I asked for fair trade and was told that fair trade had been "replaced" and that some other coffee ("Cafe Estima," perhaps? can't remember) was being served instead. So I wasn't able to get fair trade... though I wasn't terribly insistent or indignant. If they tell you it's been replaced and not being served, not much one can do...especially since there was a long line behind me. Otherwise, the service was pleasant.
Scott
Williamsburg, Va.
Thanks Scott...
I agree there is not much a customer can do in that situation.
Cafe Estima is Starbucks new FT coffee...sounds like the baristas in that store are confused...
Might be worth trying again in a week or to see if anything has changed. And if not you can educate them that Estima is the FT coffee you seek!
Either way have added your comment to the feed.
Namaste
CH
Just got an email from Scott:
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Admittedly, it could have been me who was confused about Cafe Estima
and not the barista... because she did mention it. I just didn't know
if it was FT or not, and since she mentioned that instead of a
"regular" fair trade coffee, I thought Cafe Estima was not indeed fair trade. So now that I know I don't want to be so quick to blame them.
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Fair point. But perhaps the barista could have been clearer?
Mis-communication is a two-person experience.
Scott will try again armed with this knowledge and let us know.
Namaste
Al
A reader writes:
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Starbucks on Congress St. in Portland, Maine
Asked for Fair Trade and they said they didn't have any.
I got a small cup of what they did have, and it tasted bad.
Perhaps they would have brewed some if I had insisted? I think they should just always have fair trade, no matter what, or offer it if they don't.
Carol
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Hi Carol
Thanks for taking part...have added your comment to our collection.
It is a shame it tasted bad for sure. You should ask for it next time and see what happens.
As for them always having Fair Trade well here are some thoughts:
1) There are some coffee shops that always do Fair Trade.
A search on the net tells me that Coffee By Design has three stores in Portland (http://www.coffeebydesign.com)
2) There are reasons why it seems Starbucks do not have 100% Fair Trade.
They do pay above the average price and consider there non-Fair Trade stuff Fairly Traded, which seems fair when you hear their reasons for not being 100% Fair Trade.
As I understand it there is not enough Fair Trade coffee around due to tricky certification issues for coffee growers...or so it seems.
I encourage you to check out http://GreenLAGirl.blogspot.com (my partner in crime on this challenge) as she is far more knowledgeable than I on all of these issues.
Namaste
CH
Indeed, I almost always go to Coffee By Design (CBD) and brew Fair Trade at home. I thought I'd try Starbucks because of the "Fair Trade Challenge" but from now on I think I'll stick with CBD!
Cool Carol...understand how you feel...thanks muchly for taking part though and giving us our first Maine entry.
Namaste
CH
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