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| Peace Coffee partners with larger coffee-growing co-operatives rather than individual farmers. Groups such as ], which have over 10,000 members, allow for economies of scale to exist while maintaining a farmer friendly attitude. Co-operatives are necessary due to the high scale of demand from a large company like Peace Coffee. The disadvantages of not working directly with these farmers include less direct control over farming practices such as harvesting and processing improvements. Although Peace Coffee does consistently travel the countries of origin, visiting their co-ops at least once every two years, they do not have the same influence on cup quality because of the larger number of growers.<ref name="heavy table">http://heavytable.com/peace-coffee-in-minneapolis-mn/</ref> | Peace Coffee partners with larger coffee-growing co-operatives rather than individual farmers. Groups such as ], which have over 10,000 members, allow for economies of scale to exist while maintaining a farmer friendly attitude. Co-operatives are necessary due to the high scale of demand from a large company like Peace Coffee. The disadvantages of not working directly with these farmers include less direct control over farming practices such as harvesting and processing improvements. Although Peace Coffee does consistently travel the countries of origin, visiting their co-ops at least once every two years, they do not have the same influence on cup quality because of the larger number of growers.<ref name="heavy table">http://heavytable.com/peace-coffee-in-minneapolis-mn/</ref> | ||
| ==Stores== | |||
| In Fall 2010, Peace Coffee opened its first store in southern Minneapolis. {{quote|"With our new coffee shop, we can better support our existing customers. By bringing this barista expertise in-house, we can understand the experience from their perspective." -Lee Wallace<ref>http://simplegoodandtasty.com/2010/09/01/new-coffee-shop-helps-peace-coffee-tell-their-whole-story-from-bean-to-cup</ref>}} | |||
| ==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
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| Founded | 1996 (1996) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| Number of locations | 303 locations (2012) |
| Key people | Rigoberta Menchu |
| Products | Fair trade Coffee |
| Revenue | $3.1 million |
| Owner | Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy |
| Website | PeaceCoffee.com |
Peace Coffee is an organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that sells organic, fair trade coffee. The company sells coffee through grocery, retail stores, food co-ops, and via the Internet. The organization operates throughout the United States, but has a strong presence in the Upper Midwest. Peace coffee is one of 24 fair trade coffee roasters part of Cooperative Coffees.
History
Peace Coffee was formed by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in 1996 The company also partnered with Rigoberta Menchu. The idea for Peace Coffee came from Mexican coffee producers who had the goal of selling 100% certified organic and free trade coffee. In 1999, Peace Coffee joined the group, Cooperative Coffees. Currently, Cooperative Coffees has partnered with 20 different coffee-growing cooperatives in the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.
Peace Coffee partners with larger coffee-growing co-operatives rather than individual farmers. Groups such as Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, which have over 10,000 members, allow for economies of scale to exist while maintaining a farmer friendly attitude. Co-operatives are necessary due to the high scale of demand from a large company like Peace Coffee. The disadvantages of not working directly with these farmers include less direct control over farming practices such as harvesting and processing improvements. Although Peace Coffee does consistently travel the countries of origin, visiting their co-ops at least once every two years, they do not have the same influence on cup quality because of the larger number of growers.
Stores
In Fall 2010, Peace Coffee opened its first store in southern Minneapolis.
"With our new coffee shop, we can better support our existing customers. By bringing this barista expertise in-house, we can understand the experience from their perspective." -Lee Wallace
Reception
Peace Coffee received publicity after rapper/actor Ice Cube mentioned that he often made Peace Coffee in the morning in an interview with Bon Appétit magazine.
Energy Efficiency
Peace Coffee has a mantra "pedal not petrol", which refers to the company's policy of using bicycle couriers to deliver their product to stores, coffee shops, and food co-ops. While the company uses the bicycle couriers within the cities, it purchased a biodiesel van for deliveries to the suburbs and out of state.
Fair Trade Controversy
Main article: Fair Trade § CriticismsThe fair trade label is often criticized due to the certification process. Chris Eilers, president of Dunn Bros, stated
'Fair-trade certified' is not the be-all end-all in coffee buying. If people jump on the simple philosophy of 'fair trade' it excludes farmers in East Africa or small tribal growers in New Guinea. And for some of them, the concept of cooperatives and fair trade isn't in their vocabulary. They may not be able to afford to be certified yet, but they deserve to be paid well for good coffee and environmental practices. We visit the farms directly or we buy from importers that have been there and can assure that sustainable practices are in place.
Further criticisms state that the label only goes to cooperative producers so independent producers and large corporations are often left out.
References
- "Meet us: Our Mission". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- "Find Peace Coffee Near You". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- "Meet Us: Our Story". Peace Coffee. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "Peace Coffee". Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ St. Anthony, Neal (25 October 2008). "Peace Coffee: Changing the world a cup at a time". Star Tribune. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- http://heavytable.com/peace-coffee-in-minneapolis-mn/
- http://simplegoodandtasty.com/2010/09/01/new-coffee-shop-helps-peace-coffee-tell-their-whole-story-from-bean-to-cup
- Dean, Sean. "My Morning Routine: Rapper/Actor Ice Cube Makes a Mean Cup of Coffee, Isn't About to Try Sushi Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2012/04/my-morning-routine-ice-cube-ra.html#ixzz1u1eFRXmw". Bon Appétit. Condé Nast. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - "A Day in the Life of Peace Coffee's Delivery Cyclist". Wedge Community Co-op. Retrieved 6 May 2012.