John S introduced our
gust, Kai Groen today, a
former employee at
Schinkels & now co-owner
of the Chatham Coffee
Bean Roaster.
Kai
admired our 4-Way test &
our Opening Message, as
he too looks to be more
responsible in his
business efforts with
regards to our own
consumerism. He has
graduated from
University in Hamilton
with English & a minor
History degree. He
worked in the beer
industry for a while &
has returned to Chatham
with his wife Andrea.
They began to really
miss a good cup of
coffee, hence opening
the Chatham Coffee Bean
Roaster. Their coffee
business is available
through Schinkel’s.
Kai
talked through the
history of coffee & why
it’s become such a
controversial issue.
Someone had to ask “Just
what is it about T.H.’s?”!
He began the story with
the crisis in the late
‘80’s & how coffee has
become such a hot
trading commodity.
Vietnam remains the
leading producing
country but not without
some concerns.
Fair
trade came into being
with some countries even
offering official
Certification.
Guidelines are in place
in those countries for
the roasters, the
importers & the
producers. Most
fair-trade growers are
smaller operators, going
organic simply because
they can’t afford the
chemicals for the pests
but they do produce
shade grown beans within
a democratic
organization that
doesn't employ kids
under the age of 12.
Fair trade is good where
it is found to guarantee
a certain price for the
market & it offers a
higher quality coffee.
Fair trade however is
not a solve-all solution
– there is still room
for improvement.
Audrey thanked Kai for
his knowledge sharing
with us today. A book
for the Literary Angels
program was given in his
honour.
