Starbucks is the world’s largest specialty coffee chain, yet its social responsibility to the global coffee community is lacking. While many coffee farmers across the world suffer from poverty and starvation due to the plummeting coffee prices in the global economy, Starbucks is enjoying a 34-percent increase in profits at $46.8 million.

Today, March 25, marks Starbucks’ annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. During the annual meeting, dozens of consumer, environmental and Fair Trade activists will lobby against Starbucks, in reaction to Starbucks’ failure to offer Fair Trade and organic coffee on a regular basis.

As of right now, only 1 percent of all Starbucks purchases are Fair Trade. Something must be done to urge Starbucks to carry more Fair Trade and organic coffee items.

Please join me and the ISU Fair Trade Organization by calling, writing or faxing Starbucks. You can also help by supporting your locally owned, socially responsible coffee shops. You can call toll-free at (800) 235-2883 or fax to (206) 447-3432. Please keep in mind that Orin Smith, the CEO of Starbucks, has a salary of $2,145,000 and the average coffee farmer has a $300 salary. You can make a difference. It is as simple as drinking a cup of fair trade coffee.

Jennifer Riggs

Junior

Anthropology