* A Story Behind Our Food: Fair Trade Thai Rice (A, B, C, S)
Fair trade rice is one of the newest Fair Trade items to reach the US in 2005. Come hear the stories of Thai fair trade rice farmers as they speak about the effect Fair Trade rice has had on their communities, the problems of conventional rice growing in Thailand, and the broader context of international trade in rice and how it threatens the sovereignty producers and consumers have to their food.
* The Crisis Continues: Coffee and the New Face of Crisis (A, B, C, S)
After hitting a 30-year low in 2001, the price of coffee has begun to recover. But the extra cents in no way signal an end to the coffee crisis. Despite higher prices, small-scale farmers still cannot earn a decent income. This panel includes an overview of the crisis, along with the perspective of a farmer coop and Fair Trade importer and roaster on how the crisis continues to affect small farmers.
* Fair Trade Coffee Tasting (A, B, C, S)
In this workshop various mission-based Fair Trade roasters will guide participants through a tasting of their excellent coffees. The workshop will highlight different grower cooperatives, coffee varieties, and roasting techniques. Participants will leave with a better understanding of coffee characteristics and quality.
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