June 3rd, 2009
I hit the ground running over here at TCC. I’m starting to feel a little more settled - particularly as I have encounters with more of the folks who actively support this project.
A few minutes ago our company COO handed me our Year to Date Sales Report. This document is not usually something that clearly outlines data for Mirembe Kawomera coffee specifically. As you know, Mirembe Kawomera is sold in synagogues, churches, and mosques, and by student groups and community clubs. It is only available in a very limited way in retail stores (locally here in Harvest Market and Safeway, in L.A. at Cafe Etcetera, and the occasional other place). Mostly we rely on people to spread the story directly to their communities so that it remains authentic and isn’t lost on a store shelf.
We have been successful in creating a great and diverse grassroots network of support with lots of accounts, but for the most part Mirembe Kawomera coffee is sold by small groups doing their part. Indiviual Mirembe Kawomera accounts don’t often end up on the list of top sales company wide.
I was THRILLED to see that occupying the number 50 spot on our list of top customers in sales to date this year was the Jewish Reconstructionist Community from Evanston, IL. I just put a call in to congratulate them on their efforts. Elaine pointed out that they have been involved with the project for long enough now that it mostly carries itself. Folks that buy coffee just do it at the synagogue now instead of at the grocery store. It doesn’t require tremendous effort from anyone. They have integrated it into their community so it isn’t actually a project. Mirembe Kawomera is just the coffee they all buy regularly.
The vision for this project is big. In the last four years the Peace Kawomera Co-op has tripled their coffee harvest. The group of participating farmers has grown from 300ish to about 1,000. They are growing faster than we can keep up with and there are more farmers waiting to be included in the Cooperative as soon as we are able to sell all of their current output. The Jewish Reconstructionist Community’s efforts reaffirm that we really can do this all together.
People uniting to buy a mountain of coffee. It is happening. You are all making it possible.
Thank you for all that you do.
Yours in peace,
Jenais
diazepam protocol and lks Ansioliticos Alprazolam diazepam derivative
ambien vs sonata, Xanax And White Blood Cell “ativan to help sleep”
diazepam dentst Pictures Of Panic Disorders geriatric valium
what ambien look slike! Mgs Of Xanax valium mg
what is stronger than valium Onset Time Of Oral Xanax ambien breastfeeding
dangers of wellbuterin and lorazepam Imuran And Xanax ambien on line-no perscription
zolpidem manufacturers Beating Panic Attacks ambien cr diemensions,
valium interactions? Buy Xanax And Ambien Onlie tylenol and ambien
ezmedz valium complaints Xanax Online United States what ativan does in your brain
ambien sonambulism Sexual Favors To Get Xanax veterinary use of ativan
lorazepam unconsciousness Cheapest Xanax Pills ativan sublingual prescribing information
ativan sublingual prescribing information Search Results Buy Alprazolam valium cipro
levadopa ambien folic acid brown Does Xanax Make You Tired Lethal ativan dose lorazepam drugstore no prescriptions 539.
no rx valium or diazapam Essential Tremor Treatments ambien risks during last trimester
ativan for muscle spasms Agoraphobia Recovery prenatal ambien
ativan discreet from europe Canada Drugs No Prescription Xanax lorazepam dosing for daily headach
diazepam zolpidem purchase online? Cozumal Xanax valium mg
ambien canine interaction Buy Xanax Online Fast valium dosis
valium test Beta Blocker Interaction Xanax ambien affecting lymph system
zolpidem vs eszopiclone Xanax Classification equivalent dose lorazepam diazepam
zolpidem ingredient Xanax Footballs vd of lorazepam and diazepam
ambien cr godage Fatigue Weight Gain Anxiety Panic Attacks diazepam derivative
Tags: Jewish Reconstructionist, Sales to Date
Posted in: Exciting news, Sharing with you...
This post has 2 comments. (View Comments) | Leave A Comment
May 6th, 2009
At Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and with respect to Mirembe Kawomera in particular, we talk a lot about voting with dollars. Buying Mirembe Kawomera coffee offers consumers a chance not only to support Fair Trade, not only to buy certified organic (and kosher and halal), but also to participate in an amazing shared vision for peace.
I had a chat yesterday with a woman in Lancaster County, PA who is organizing a program for her church pre-school’s moms group. She was building the program around a recent purchase of hers, the “Better World Shopping Guide”. If you aren’t familiar with this epic pocket guide of how to be a wiser and more diligent consumer you really ought to have a look: http://www.betterworldshopper.com.
Now in its second edition, the guide offers consumers viable information about big and small businesses and their practices; which commodities to be most mindful about, and various lists and resources for shoppers to refer to. In assessing business practices the guide focuses on five categories: Human Rights, the Environment, Animal Protection, Community Development, and Social Justice. In a world where green branding has quickly overshadowed green standards it is an asset to have a reliable resource helping us make informed decisions.
The woman in Lancaster County reached out to Thanksgiving because we appear in the “Coffee” section of the guide as well as occupying the number 6 spot on the Better World Shopper website list “10 Small But Beautiful.” It was fantastic to have a conversation with someone who was really thinking about the big picture, how our purchasing power has impact. Not just for the consumer, not just for the vendor but at every point along the supply chain and beyond.
Thanksgiving Coffee works diligently to maintain high ethical, environmental, and social standards in all that we do. Right down to composting our coffee grounds on site in our worm farm for use at the Community Garden in the adjacent lot that the founders Joan and Paul donated land for. Mirembe Kawomera coffee is no exception. We have worked with the farmers to improve their product so that it costs us more. Seems counter-intuitive for a small business like ours, and yet, we are thrilled to be paying $1.85 per pound this year instead of the $1.61 we have paid in the past.
Just like you, we are buying these beans and voting with our dollars.
ambien vs sonata, Signs Of Anxiety Disorders “ativan to help sleep”
diazepam dentst Add And Panic Attacks geriatric valium
what ambien look slike! Xanax Urine Detected Up To valium mg
what is stronger than valium Xanax To My Cat ambien breastfeeding
dangers of wellbuterin and lorazepam Xanax Pay By Check ambien on line-no perscription
zolpidem manufacturers Xanax Benzo ambien cr diemensions,
valium interactions? Xanax Use Among Teens tylenol and ambien
ezmedz valium complaints Overnight Shipping Xanax what ativan does in your brain
ambien sonambulism Self Absorbation Panic Disorder veterinary use of ativan
lorazepam unconsciousness Schools Special Education Panic Attacks ativan sublingual prescribing information
ativan sublingual prescribing information Xanax Thyroid valium cipro
levadopa ambien folic acid brown False Positive Drug Test Prescription Xanax Lethal ativan dose lorazepam drugstore no prescriptions 539.
no rx valium or diazapam Getting Off Xanax ambien risks during last trimester
ativan for muscle spasms Living With Panic Attacks prenatal ambien
ativan discreet from europe All Anxiety Disorders lorazepam dosing for daily headach
diazepam zolpidem purchase online? People With Panic Disorder valium mg
ambien canine interaction Preparing Alprazolam For Injection valium dosis
valium test Shelf Life Xanax Xr ambien affecting lymph system
zolpidem vs eszopiclone Xanax Dog equivalent dose lorazepam diazepam
zolpidem ingredient Detoxing Off Xanax vd of lorazepam and diazepam
ambien cr godage Agoraphobia Help diazepam derivative
ambien vs sonata, Adiction To Xanax “ativan to help sleep”
Tags: Better World Shopping Guide, Lancaster County, Mirembe Kawomera, purchasing power
Posted in: Uncategorized
This post has no comments. (View Comments) | Leave A Comment
April 22nd, 2009
Dear Friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to formally announce that I will be leaving my position with Thanksgiving Coffee Company. Some of you may know from following my adventures in Uganda that I’ve had a long-standing interest in medicine and serving the under represented. Within this context, I am ecstatic to announce that I will be attending the VA Commonwealth University’s Accelerated Master’s Degree Program in Nursing to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Within my joy, however, is a deep sorrow at having to move on from a most inspiring line of work. It has been an honor and privilege to share the dream and work for peace, social justice, and sustainable economic development with you.
I am pleased to introduce Jenais Zarlin as the new Mirembe Kawomera Project Director. The following are a few words from her:
“I am excited to be joining the Thanksgiving team in a capacity that uniquely combines my passion and professional experience: social justice and food systems. Holly has worked diligently to share the inspiring story of the Mirembe Kawomera cooperative and her efforts have resulted in a strong community committed to spreading peace through tolerance. She leaves big shoes to fill, but I look forward to getting to know all of you and to continue sharing this message of peace and poverty alleviation together. ”
I’m sincerely grateful for the last four years I have worked with you. I’ve learned more about coffee, true friendship, and what can happen when a network of dedicated people harness their power throughout the world for something important- change; and for this I am indebted. I have confidence that Jenais will serve you and the farmers in magnificent ways and take the Mirembe Kawomera Coffee project to new heights.
With utmost appreciation,
Holly Moskowitz
Please feel free to stay in touch. I can be reached at VWILcycler@yahoo.com and on Facebook.
Posted in: Uncategorized
This post has 2 comments. (View Comments) | Leave A Comment