[TestifyToLove]

I just looked and discovered there is a reusable option for Kuerig. I am going to research so I can buy one when I get paid.

The thing about Starbucks independent program is twofold. First, why are they so resistive to just complying with recognized fair trade requirements? Anytime a major coporation gives me a story about why their internal program is somehow *better* than a standard set by NGO watch groups makes me suspicious. Second, no for-profit corporation has ANY business being involved in developmental work. Starbucks program reads like they are involved in actual developmental work. That is paternalistic AND almost always poorly executed.

Fair Trade standards require communities to set up oversight and cooperation to enter fair trade markets. Generally, NGOs assist communities in setting up and training their leadership so that communities can be self suficient. It is the community cooperative that makes decisions and negotiates as one entity.

I did extensive work with Hiefer Project in my teens and 20s and I really have issues with a corporation out to make a profit stepping into a role that NGOs fill and fill with wisdom and experience. I've seen NGOs and Fair Trade cooperatives set up successfully and those that fall apart and it ALWAYS hinges upon the local community and their commitment to form an entity and work together. Starbucks is a profit making coporation. Why would they even WANT to step their toes into the developmental oversight arena?

For me, Starbucks stepping out of Fair Trade standards and trying to set up their own growers groups is akin to adoption agencies setting up their own orphanages. No matter what they claim they are doing, at the end of the day one finger is always going to be on their own bottom line and what would benefit them and not the community.