Things are buzzing here at Café Campesino, and it's not just the lift we get from our favorite brew! The summer brings with it a more active schedule of activities, and more opportunities to promote the Fair Trade message. We've also welcomed a new business manager, a move that's already invigorating our operation and helping it to function more smoothly. Read all about it in this issue of Fair Grounds, which also includes a Customer Spotlight, a Fair Trade Friend profile, plus a new Dr. Coffee, Fair Trade Fact, recipe, and trivia question.

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by Tripp Pomeroy, Café Campesino

As a relative newcomer to the Fair Trade movement and new member of the Café Campesino staff, I continue to be impressed by the openness, diversity and goodwill of the individuals, companies and organizations I meet day after day. In a world that is increasingly polarized, it is refreshing to be part of a cause-driven business that eschews the division, distrust and cynicism that all too often characterize our daily lives.

Having spent the past fifteen years working in the non-profit and for-profit private sectors (primarily in the US and Latin America), I have developed a solid understanding of the traditional, win-lose approach to business and its exploitative nature. I have repeatedly witnessed its disastrous impact on people, communities and their social economies. Ignorance, greed, a lack of self-control and/or an external locus of control (i.e., blame others or other factors for one’s actions) or some combination of these have almost always been the cause of the needless suffering of so many.

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"I’m going to miss Americus," she said, "but I’m really looking forward to this move. I’ve been here for seven years and I’m ready to be back in a big city. I’m definitely excited but I’m also a bit nervous."

Samantha will be looking for a position with a company that is involved in social progress and humanitarian ventures, much like Café Campesino. And, of course, she’s already planning to be at Boston’s famous fireworks on the Fourth of July!

We’ll certainly miss Samantha’s enthusiasm, wit and interesting choices of office music, but don’t worry that her absence will affect the running of Café Campesino. Lee and Bill's longtime friend Tripp Pomeroy, whom they met while he was volunteering with Habitat in 1989-1990, has joined the Café Campesino team as a partner and general manager/director of business development.

He and his family recently moved to Americus, and in his short time with us, he’s already proven his immense value to the team, with his friendly demeanor and ability to put anyone at ease. In addition, he is thrilled that he can now commute to work by foot! We’re very excited to have him with us to help lead our team as we continue to grow. Check out a more detailed bio at the end of his article, located above.

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Last week, Bill took a trip to Savannah, Ga. to speak at a globalization forum, sponsored by The Sentient Bean, a local coffee house. "As usual, the Sentient Bean organized a fantastic event," he said. "Over 70 enthusiastic folks attended the two and a half hour presentation!" Other organizations presenting at the forum included the Jubilee Network and 50 Years Is Enough.

Lee, our roaster, has just returned from Vermont, where he spent three days honing his coffee cupping skills. He comes back to us with a deeper knowledge of specialty coffee, and how to apply this to our fair trade coffees. Look forward to hearing more from Lee in the future as he helps you get the most from your coffee in the Dr. Coffee column!

Keep your eye out for an article about us in Atlanta Latino in the next few weeks.

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Rashida Muhammad, owner of the shop, opened her store in November 2003. Prior to opening, a friend in Washington, DC told her about Fair Trade chocolate. While doing research on Fair Trade suppliers, she came across Fair Trade coffee and Café Campesino. The rest is history!

Located in Sweet Auburn Curb Market in the historic Auburn district, A Taste of Heaven serves a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso and frozen coffee. They also have smoothies, fresh juice, gourmet food and pastries, as well as a selection of diabetic pastries. Visit them at 209 Edgewood, Atlanta, Georgia.

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We're giving away coffee! 

Think you know a lot about coffee? Then enter our Fair Grounds Trivia Contest. Click here for our question of the month. Entering is easy and it's FUN!

Our Coffee Knowledge winner for May is Mary Day Kent who know that 2 South American countries produce nearly half of the world's coffee. Congratulations, Mary!

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Atlanta Latino
www.atlantalatino.com

Jubilee USA
http://www.jubileeusa.org

50 Years is Enough
http://www.50years.org

Bicycle Ride Across Georgia
http://www.brag.org

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- Ronald Reagan

• May 2004 Fair Trade at the Carter Center, SCAA meeting.
• April 2004 Coffee and Community in Nicaragua, Fair Trade in Americus Makes the News!
• March 2004 Fair Trade chocolate, Rosetta's Kitchen
• February 2004 Bill's Return to Guatemala, Guayakí Rainforest
• January 2004 Espresso - What's the Buzz?
• December 2003 Fair Trade: Global Exchange's Fair Trade Challenge; Fellow Fair Traders: SERRV International
• November 2003 Fair Trade: More Than Just a Fair Price; Fellow Fair Traders: Lucuma Designs
• October 2003 Exploring the Coffee Regions
• September 2003 Cooperative Coffees Annual Meeting
• August 2003 Fair Trade Friends: Oxfam America; The Art (and Science) of Roasting Coffee
• July 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra
• June 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Guatemala; Gayo Mountain Adventure; Dr. Coffee - Cupping
• May 2003 Fair Trade Friends: United Students for Fair Trade; World Fair Trade Day
• April 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Ethiopia; Celebrating Earth Day with Fair Trade
• March 2003 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 2; SWP Decaffeination
• February 2002 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 1
• January 2003 My Life as a Bean
• December 2002 Exploring Our Origins: East Timor; Sustainable Development
• November 2002 New Website; Gift Baskets
• October 2002 Interview with roaster Lee Harris
• September 2002 ForesTrade Wins UN Sustainability Award; Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra's Gayo Cooperative
• August 2002 Producer News: Shade Grown; Fair Trade Friends: Atlanta Audubon
• July 2002 Exploring Our Origins: Colombia
• June 2002 Back Roads Journal: Cooperative Coffees and Café Campesino; Exploring Our Origins: Peru; Fair Trade Friends: Music of the Andes
• May 2002 Staff Notes: Cinco de Mayo; Producer News: Visit to Mut Viz; Back Roads Journal: SCAA Meeting
• April 2002 Back Roads Journal: Travels in Fair Trade; Customer Composting Tip