What does it mean?????? Everyday...well, almost everyday...I get asked if our coffee is "shade tree", "organic", or "fair trade". I always say yes...then I move onto another part of whatever conversation I am having...then later I wonder if folks ask that question because they really want to know, or for some reason only they can envision... :o) Well, like so many topics I get questions about, this is one that I cannot simply leave well enough alone! Thought inquiring minds might really want to know what these (and other) terms mean...so here goes. Fair Trade: The coffee world revolves around the producers, or growers. If it were not for these wonderful folks we would not be able to sip our favorite coffee each mornin'. That is why we insist that all our coffee is "fair trade" coffee. That simply means that the producer is a part of the action, that trading partnerships are based on mutual respect and that prices paid to growers are fair and reflect the value of the work they do to produce the coffee for the world market. That national health, safety and wage laws are in place and enforced and that products are environmentally sustainable and that natural resources are conserved. This can, and usually does, raise the prices that we pay for our green coffees; however, we look forward to each shipment knowing that someone is working extremely hard for us and we are working hard to make sure they are rewarded. This is not as simple as it may first appear. Each producer, or farm, must be certified by the Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO). Although a farm (producer) may be trading in a manner that is consistent with fair trade, it cannot label its coffee "fair trade" until it is licensed to do so. Organic: What is organic coffee? Well, generally speaking it means that the growing process is free of pesticides or other chemically based solutions for problems faced in the growing seasons. Organic methods seek to enhance soil and crops through composting, terracing, and systematic blending of a variety of compatible crops that work to enrich the ecosystem naturally. Sooo...why do we seek to always import organically grown coffee? Simply because we do not feel right about roasting and providing coffee to our friends and family that are full of pesticide residue or loaded with chemicals...you get enough of that from other sources anyway! Anyhow, you know I cannot help but think that organically grown coffee just has to taste better...don't you agree? Shade Tree: You know this term represents a method of providing trees as a part of the systematic blending of compatible crops. It really is a part of organic farming; however, it usually is talked about separately...probably because it sounds so "sexy"! :o) Jude and I had the good fortune a few years ago to go on a cruise to the Panama Canal...cannot remember if I ever told you about that trip or not, but that is for another time and newsletter...Well we stopped at a port in Costa Rica. Jude and I got off that ship and trekked to a coffee plantation in the hills of that country...it was a great side trip. Well, we talked to the owner of the plantation and he went on about the pros of his operation and of the need to protect the tropical forest that his plantation stood alongside. He also talked about the great "shade tree" coffee he grew (it was really good, I must say) and how he worked to make sure his coffee and bananas were all grown in the most sensitive and organic methods. Well, you would think that shade trees would put out "shade" for the coffee plants and that would be some magic formula that would really provide excellent coffee cherries/beans. His coffee plants did produce excellent coffee beans, as sampled by The Coffeeman and Jude, but the only question I had...why were most of the trees I saw in the coffee fields cut off at about the same height as the coffee plants themselves? I know I must have been missing something...maybe the trees I saw had only been planted very recently...maybe? Keep asking questions...but be warned...I will go on and on with the answers! :o) 'Til next time...
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On A Personal Note:
(You may wonder why we are coming out with the June Newsletter in May...well, this is why!)
Memorial Day - 2011
A Note to My Grandson...
Well, a fib to some degree here...this is not only a note to my grandson Drew, but to all that are in the year leading up to their 21st birthday...but a well meaning fib, surely!
Four decades ago I found myself in this stage of life...just turned 20 with a future ahead of me that I could only dream about...then war hit home. As I sat in church today listening to our Methodist Minister speak of our church home honoring those that served our country, I thought of Drew. You see, Drew is 20 making decisions that will impact his life for many years to come...decisions that will allow him to continue to grow, and hopefully achieve his goals and dreams. Many years ago, as a 2nd year college student with a new found love and a budding athletic career ahead, I thought I had the world on a string...then a series of unforeseen things began to take place. An illness that put me in the college infirmary for an extended period of time, many classes missed in subjects that I needed to be in attendance 100% of the time, finals that were not too pleasant...well, let me say that session of study did not do me any favors...
You see, our country was at war. It was a war that many, if not almost all, did not understand. It was Vietnam and the Vietnam Conflict... My small town of Griffin, GA had a draft board (yes it was still a strong influence on daily life for young male citizens) that was always looking to fill its quota each month. I was sent for a draft physical, and being no dummy, I could see the writing on the wall...I joined the U.S. Air Force early enlistment program. I chose to pick the way I served my country, but I did not know if that service would take my life or would give me renewed life...so many things I...no, we, did not know... because Judy was always by my side even then.
Ours was not an unusual set of circumstances...you see, that is the way it is...you give your life to your country and trust that decision...but you never know. So many of our friends did not make it back from that war...and those that did were often not the same as before...just like the present wars...or the wars that preceded the Vietnam Conflict.
There lies the link between that time, this person, and the veterans of all time...you never know if you will be able to return to the life as you had known it - when and if you make it through your commitment. You may have questions, but you must be devoted to duty and the commitment you made...
You know, Drew at almost the same age his grandfather was when I had to make a number of life changing decisions...two of which shaped my life for all time. You see since we did not know what was going to happen, Jude and I were married as kids, and I joined early enlistment to the U.S Air Force...thank the Lord for those decisions.
To all veterans of all conflicts, wars, and disasters we sincerely thank you...each of you for your sacrifice and your service of honor. Because of you, sisters and brothers, we remain a free land that cannot be compared to any other...
Peace,
The Coffeeman
ps: For Drew, and all of our grandkids...for all young adults for that matter...I only pray that their decisions yield them the bounty and grace we have experienced....
For you see Drew, and all our grands, are really very, very special to Jude and I. Their lives, their decisions, and their well being are always on our minds, in our hearts and our prayers.
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Coffee Price Increases
When I read that Starbucks and Dunkin' Donut were raising their prices due to the sharp increase in green coffee prices I could see the writing on the wall...we were about to be hit big time at little ol' The Alpaca Bean Coffee...
Yep, you heard right, the coffee producing countries are raising their prices due, in part, to rising fuel costs and cost of processing the coffee to get it ready for market.
Well, the other shoe dropped the last time we purchased green beans (this past week) the cost had gone up over $1.50 per pound...that is a killer of sorts. We are looking at pricing and trying to find a way to not raise the prices too much ourselves...hopefully we will have a basis for writing this newsletter in the months to come...we will see.
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Drop Us A Line Anytime
Want to Shop??? Look Here! Find Out a Little More About us
You can enjoy finding out more about us or simply shop 'til you drop on the two web sites above!
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Coffee Lovers and Friends, Judy and I are really enjoying having the opportunity to provide the best possible coffee for your enjoyment. We also hope you will be able to visit us soon to experience the pleasure of drinking an outstanding mug of our Alpaca Bean Coffee while watching the little ones pronking all over the place! George Dick The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company, LLC
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The Alpaca Bean Coffee Co., LLC
466 Stone Lane
Canon, Georgia 30520
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