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DID
YOU KNOW?
Starbucks is the *world's largest* consumer of rBGH milk--milk from cows
treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (the drug designed to force
cows' bodies to produce more milk than nature intended, which in turn
creates many of the health problems that require the dairy cows to be
dosed liberally with antibiotics during their short and brutally miserable
lives). In addition to the intense suffering caused to the cows, the drugs
have been linked to myriad human illnesses. Starbucks is also generally
among the top 15 users of genetically modified foods and ingredients in
the U.S--right up there with Coca Cola, Kellogg's, and Procter & Gamble!
Organic Consumers Association and volunteers around the world have been
participating in a "Frankenbucks" Campaign. You can be equally
effective by simply choosing OTHER establishments from which to get your
beans and brewed java.
(In the Seattle area especially, there are now actually DOZENS of available
brands, even in supermarkets; a number of downtown cafes serve organic
coffee and many organically produced baked goods. [On Vashon, that's Cafe
Luna!] Seattle is a leader in this area. Seattle is one of a couple cities
in which SBC locations serve only rBGH-free milk.) Also, Starbucks refuses
to brew organic coffee in its retail locations. Consider these undeniable
facts and ask whether you want this:
1. CHEMICALS: Regular,
pesticide-grown, sun-grown coffee is poison for all concerned. Worldwide,
coffee is the most pesticide-doused crop of any that we eat or drink (only
cotton is a close second--but that's another story.) . Many of the pesticides
used for coffee sold to the U.S. are actually outlawed for use in the
U.S. The conversion of coffee production to more "modern" sun
growing destroys the balanced ecosystem that once controlled pests and
weeds naturally, now requiring constant and massive chemical blitzing.
2. BIRDS AND FORESTS:
In addition, sun-grown coffee is responsible for the vast destruction
of tropical forests which provided habitat for songbirds (many of which
are becoming extinct as the shade-growing tradition has given way to full-sun
farming systems). The trading of shade canopy coffee trees for new high-yielding,
sun-tolerant varieties in the last few decades has also increased soil
erosion/depletion.
3. FAIR TRADE: Finally,
organic and shade-grown coffee tends to also be a fairly-traded product
that provides fair wages and conditions for coffee growers. For the most
part, "modern" coffee production simply has not compensated
farmers for all their costs. Full-sun coffee plantations are more expensive
to maintain--in addition to their greater environmental costs. Sun-grown
coffee is no boon for farmers--only for agribusiness and chemical companies!
As always, I ask why NOT choose differently, when there are plenty of
other easy options? It's so easy to do the right thing. When buying beans,
simply choose:
Now
see the letter to the Starbucks CEO
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