Gothamist: Ethiopian Coffee and Starbucks

Suze

Mon, 07 May 2007 19:46:08 -0500

Jeeeeze...Starbucks is not the devil and isn't forcing you to drink there. I remember a NYC without a single starbucks, and some of the "indie" coffee was liquid crap. I'd rather have a coffeeshop than another "darling" boutique for richies added to the mall that NYC has become. Again - if you don't like it, don't order it. They aren't perfect but are fairly responsible for a small company that grew large. Hating them for the heck of it is as stupid as those who want to unionize Starbucks - who has always paid well over minimum wage. I am so sick of this argument. Brew your own and shut up.

frelkins

Sun, 06 May 2007 13:53:35 -0500

It's a pity you all don't understand more about the coffee business, of which NYC is a major center. This deal -- as much as we know about it -- seems set to benefit Starbucks itself and the corrupt Ethiopian middlemen and coffee brokers. It will probably do almost zero for impoverished coffee farmers or American consumers.

econ 101

Sat, 05 May 2007 17:45:41 -0500

Guess this means Starbucks' markup on its coffee will be only 975% instead of 1,000%, The "markup" on coffee has to cover the cost of real estate, utilities, salaries, and other variables like milk. I'm not trying to make a case for Starbucks but the idea that farmers would reap most of the benefits from a highly processed item like coffee is naive at best.

Anonymous

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:41:21 -0500

oh my god.. coffee is coffee, just buy it from the guy in the cart for a buck

blah

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:01:09 -0500

it's "lo and behold", not "low and behold"

gmab

Sat, 05 May 2007 14:44:16 -0500

what are you talking about? how is the government of ethiopia not just another 'conglomerate'? you think anyone but a bunch of fat cats are going to receive the proceeds from this licensing agreement?

Peter

Sat, 05 May 2007 14:44:05 -0500

Guess this means Starbucks' markup on its coffee will be only 975% instead of 1,000%,

Jane

Sat, 05 May 2007 14:40:14 -0500

There is an organization called Justice from Bean to Cup that recently made a video about Starbucks and it's relationship with its Ethiopian coffee farmers. It's in 2 parts on YouTube, just search for "Partner? Starbucks."

tweak

Sat, 05 May 2007 14:39:10 -0500

If you need to brand your product it probably isn't that much better than anything else - at least to the average consumer.

m

Sat, 05 May 2007 14:34:18 -0500

this is good news. neoliberal economic policies succeed in driving down anyone but conglomerates and corporations, this is just a push back in the direction of the independent seller. oh, also: "If you want to see what the fuss is about, go sample Ethiopian coffee at the new (old) Tasting Room Wine Bar and Cafe on First Street in the East Village to see what all the fuss is about." ??