HourChallenge

Good news for those of us who enjoy a coffee at Starbucks every now and again. The coffee giant will be doubling FT purchases in 2009 to 40 million pounds. This will make Starbucks the largest Fair Trade Certified coffee purchaser in the world.

Fair trade is not perfect, and we can go further, but it at least ensures that strict social and environmental criteria are met, guaranteeing a decent wage for small family farmers, ensuring safe working conditions, and protecting fragile environments.