Coffee prices affect Mexican & Central American Farmers

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Subject: Wake up to Fair Trade 12.07 7:30am

Wake up to Fair Trade. Taste the difference. Fair Trade Days of Action -

Friday Dec. 7th and Saturday Dec. 8th 2001

While the world confronts a terrorist crisis, Mexico and Central America

are facing a severe famine intensified by a crisis in the international

coffee market. Today's world market prices for coffee are at their lowest

point in history. While coffee companies reap huge profits, millions of

coffee farmers and workers face unemployment, land seizure, and starvation.

An alliance of concerned organizations invite you to support the world's

coffee farmers by taking part in a Fair Trade Coffee Day of Action Saturday,

December 8th and promoting and/or purchasing fair trade coffee in your local

stores and cafes. Fair Trade Coffee Day of Action promotes an alternative

trading system in which farmers receive triple current market prices for

their coffee. Buying Fair Trade Certified Coffee can help farm families

survive the current crisis with dignity, keep their land and invest in their

communities.

Across the U.S people are participating in Fair Trade Coffee Day of

Action. Here in the Twin Cities Peace Coffee, Organic Consumers

Association and the Resource Center of the Americas are joining forces to

get the word out and promote Fair Trade coffee Friday Dec. 7th and Saturday

Dec. 8th.

The happenings:

Friday

Ride the Fair Trade Bus

Local: Bus Stop Downtown @ 7:30 a.m., Hennepin Ave. between 5th and 6th

Spreading Fair Trade Cheer

Local: Holidazzle Parade, Peavy Plaza (Nicollet and 11th) @ 5:30 p.m.

Saturday

Fair Trade Coffee Hand Out

Local: Outside of Calhoun Square @10:00 a.m.

Fair Trade Coffee for Free

Local: Various Cafes - All Day

On Friday morning the OCA will be convening a Fair Trade bus stop for a " sip

and learn " about fair trade. Meet downtown MPLS to greet commuters with a

cup of Fair Trade coffee as well as a leaflet. We will locate at busy bus

stops and ride the bus around town visiting with commuters on their way to

work. To participate please drop a note to Tom at

tom@... or call Tom at 612 33 17309.

On Friday evening Peace Coffee and the OCA will be getting the word out by

serving up a fine cup of Fair Trade coffee and leafleting the people at the

Holidazzle Parade. Meet at Peavey Plaza, 11th and Nicollet Mall at 5:30 pm

ready to show off your Fair Trade spirit and sparkle. Let the Fair Trade

cheer and word shine bright this Holidazzle night.

Contact Peace Coffee at tj@..., 612.870.3440, or the OCA at

tom@... 612.331.7309.

On Saturday Twin Cities cafes Anodyne, Birchwood Cafe, Pairie Star,

Heavenly Daze and the Cafe of the Americas will be offering Fair Trade

Peace Coffee for free. Peace Coffee will also be locating itself in the

Uptown area, giving out cups of Fair Trade Coffee and leaflets to people

on the street from 10:00 am till 1:00pm. Join us on the corners of

Hennepin and Lake to " Wake Minneapolis up to Fair Trade. " Meet

from Peace Coffee at the front entrance of Calhoun Square to

participate in Fair Trade Day of Action.