Chocolate, Chocolate, Everywhere

So. We're at the halfway point of this challenge and I, too, haven't found it too difficult. At least with the big stuff. This is my fourth year participating in the challenge and over the years I've slowly swapped out my coffee, tea, and chocolate for fair trade options. What I'm beginning to realize, however, is how often the little purchases come up. It's easy to control what you buy or make or eat at home. But when I'm out to lunch (hmm...) or someone is hosting me, it's more difficult. I walked away from a perfectly lovely white chocolate mousse last week. It had a chocolate crust.

Desserts, I've discovered, are often made with chocolate or have a chocolate ganache or crust. Which wouldn't be a big deal, but I love dessert. I've taken to suggesting that restaurants and cafes offer a fair trade chocolate dessert during the challenge. Mostly I'm getting a look that resembles the deer in headlights, but you never know...

- Tabitha

Half-way There

The One-Month challenge has reached the halfway mark… or it will in the next day or so. At this half-way point, I am happy to report that I haven’t found the challenge very challenging, and rather enjoyable to boot! My stock pile of Fair Trade teas and coffee is holding out strong, though I sense I’ll need to restock before the end of the month.

A few days ago, though, there was a moment that could have created a slight problem. I was at work in Osborne Village, and desperately needed a pick-me-up mid-shift. I had already taken my lunch break, so I didn’t have time to run down to Vita Health, buy some Fair Trade beans, come back to the office and cook up a pot.

Generally, in these instances I would just hit up Second Cup for a mug of caffeinated goodness (bring your own mug, save a disposable cup and save a few cents in the process, as they offer a discount to those with their own cups).  I figured that Second Cup must have at least one fairly traded coffee to choose from, and that I wouldn’t have to go to Starbucks instead.

Luckily, all of Second Cup’s coffee blends are Fair Trade! I happily bought a cup of Paradiso, and headed back to work. Now if only other coffee shops, particularly those on campus, could get on board!

- Sheldon

The 30 Fair trade challenge has been underway for a couple of weeks now. Although the challenge might seem very black and white, I have come across some grey.

My understanding of the challenge is to consume only fair trade products. So when a good friend surprised me with a cup of good old ‘Canadian’ Timmy hoho’s on a slow hazy morning I ran into a little problem? To drink or not to drink? Although the money was all ready spent, and the support of unethical coffee was already done, I still felt that drinking it was wrong. So I stood my ground explained the situation, and I refused to drink, not just buy, a coffee that is not parallel with ethics and morals.

Although my friend is very ethical and environmental aware, she still, like most of us, buys quick, cheap ‘regular’ coffee. These chains like Tim Horton’s make it so easy, and available to buy their coffee, they make us feel stupid if we don’t take advantage of their 100’s of stores.

One Week In

Well, the first week of the One Month Challenge has gone by, and so far no problems! I started the week off by picking up a few boxes of Fair Trade teas - one from Safeway and two others from Vita Health in Osborne Village - and a chocolate bar for Valentine's Day. If I can keep my tea consumption down to one or two cups a day max, I should be fine for the month with the supplies I've got.

My main concern area was coffee at work. I spend two days a week in the Manitoban office in University Centre. On production day and our weekly staff meeting, the paper picks up an urn of coffee for staff and any volunteers who happen to be around. Generally, on these two days I pound back at least a cup or two, saving a good five bucks at least a week. I had resigned myself to ponying up the cash on these days and heading to Degree's to buy my own cup, but luckily the Boss, knowing I'd undertaken the challenge myself and being interested in the issue, had requested Fair Trade coffee for the meetings, and IQ's delivered!

So now, one week in, I've nothing overly challenging to report. Hopefully the next three will be equally painless. I'll keep you posted!

- Sheldon

Motivations

Yesterday I got into an argument- er, discussion- with a co-worker on the importance of fair trade. She felt that while fair trade has its merits, it doesn't adequately address the geography or culture of a place. That is, why are lack of benefits, schooling, and health care fair trade issues in countries that don't have have these things in the first place? Can they miss what they've never had?

This is not the first time I've heard criticisms about fair trade. In the last few weeks, I've heard comments ranging from affordability and accessibility to the idea that fair trade is designed to help consumers feel better about their purchase. While it's made me re-think my motivations for doing this challenge, I can't be convinced that not choosing fair trade is okay. So yes, there are issues. And yes, there are flaws. But fair trade is the better option. Right?

- Tabitha
 

The Beginning

We have been asked by the MCIC to blog about our experiences in the One Month Fair Trade Challenge. We are a class of activism students at the University of Manitoba and are pledging to purchase and consume only fair trade coffee, chocolate, and tea for one month.

Is this activism? I don't know. But this is the beginning.

- Tabitha