money speaks, right?
I figure my money talks, so when I had to have a recent meeting at Starbucks, I chose to let them know I will only use my money for their fair trade and organic coffees.
I walked up to the counter where two pleasant young women greet me and ask what I would like.
“A regular coffee please, but make it your fair trade or organic option,” I say.
One looks a little stumped and says, “We have so-and-so medium roast, so-and-so french roast and so-and-so decaf brewed today.”
I repeat, “Are any of your coffees today fair trade or organic, please?”
They both look a smidge stumped before one speaks up. “No, the coffees we brewed today are not, but we can make you a french press of one. Here are your options…” she rambles off. I choose the one of the three fair trade, organic options that she says is her favorite.
I do apologize to them for seeming complicated and explain that my money needs to go to coffee I can feel good about since Starbucks carries so few.
The two ladies are very nice and gracious, agreeing that when you pay money, you should get what you want.
My $3.40 got me a carafe of two large cups of somethinanother tasty brew that I can feel OK about. Not great. I was still at Starbucks afterall.
But I can feel at least OK because I voiced where my money would go. And my money will go to appropriately paying farmers for the work they do… to making sure coffee farmers and families are not living in pesticide-laden lands… to making sure I help someone else live in a humane way. At least, that is where I try to put my money.
Despite playing somre really great tunes while I was there, I will not go to Starbucks (I call them Starcruds) by choice. And the fact that I had to make them brew a special pot for me is exactly why.
Starbucks… you change your policies, and I’ll change mine. And you’ll make even more money.
Ashley Sue,
You make me smile so much. This is just one of the many reasons why you are so fabulous. When I lived on Hilton Head, there were at least three Starbucks (and the island is only 12 miles long, so WTF)? I hated going there. I felt like I was selling my soul every time I stopped there. But local coffee shops were few and far between. So I found my self regularly going to Starbucks, and when I moved to Raleigh, I promised myself that I would never go again b/c I live in a place that has so many local coffeeshops. Unfortunately, there have been a couple times when I’ve been at Target and have reneged on my pact and bought a coffee. But mostly, I’ve held true to my agreement.
This line made me laugh:
My $3.40 got me a carafe of two large cups of somethinanother tasty brew that I can feel OK about. Not great. I was still at Starbucks afterall.
You rock, girl!
Ashley Sue, I have my own barista boy at home who makes the best lattes! Since we both drink daily lattes (and sometimes two), the cost of the machine is paid back in mere months based on coffee shop prices. Best of all, we can choose the kind of milk, coffee and vanilla flavor to add. Good for you for making a difference!
Ahhh, you know, I have a (cheapy) espresso maker here at home and Marc and I haven’t quite yet figured out the perfect way to brew it… any tips? We’d love to get figured on a great latte recipe if you can lend some advice.
I had to ask my husband for his secrets since I have no idea how to use the machine. When foaming the milk, he sticks the wand close to the bottom of the cup, otherwise, the milk foams up too much. We tried different vanilla favors, mostly syrups, which weren’t very tasty, until we hit on the French Deluxe Vanilla powder from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Company, http://coffeebean.com/Powders-Extracts-C43.aspx. He puts in one scoop of vanilla powder, 2 shots of espresso, with enough foamed milk to make a grande size latte. I like his better than any coffee house latte. Good luck!
Thank you mucho! I look forward to giving this recipe a try this weekend! Hoorah