Barista Magazine

APR-MAY 2017

Serving People Serving Coffee Since 2005

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F O A M : N E W + T R E N D S U.S. COFFEE COMPANIES BAND TOGETHER TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE, TOGETHERNESS IN WAKE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER AT THE END OF JANUARY, President Donald Trump issued a broad temporary ban preventing refugees and citizens from seven countries—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen— from entering the United States. Protests and a strong backlash quickly resulted in response to the order, which at press time was tied up in an appeals process and possessing an uncertain fate. In the wave of outrage, the voice of the specialty-coffee industry was immediately loud and clear. Starbucks made the highest-profi le gesture, with chairman and CEO Howard Schultz announcing plans to hire 10,000 refugees in the next fi ve years in the 75 countries where the company does business. Starbucks followed the move by sending a letter to all its employees in February offering them and their families legal advice free of charge in order to "help navigate immigration issues and get answers in these uncertain times." The show of support was demonstrated broadly throughout the industry, with one company after another voicing concern for their fellow global citizens, organizing donations, or taking other decisive action to promote inclusivity. One comprehensive effort was led by specialty-coffee news and culture website Sprudge.com, which orga- nized a nationwide fundraiser at coffee bars February 3–5 to benefi t the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the organization that de- fends the Constitution and civil rights, and has been a vocal opponent of President Trump's order. A total of 862 cafés from 511 brands in 46 states (as well as Mexico and the United Kingdom) took part in the fundraiser. As of press time, with 436 of those brands reporting— and boosted by the contributions of a number of corporate matching partners—the Sprudge fundraiser had generated more than $423,350. Sprudge's cofounders, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, said they felt compelled to take action against developments in the admin- istration that many Americans feel are shocking and troubling. "From time to time we feel it's important to speak out," Zachary said. "This is one of those times. It's more of a concern for us if we don't speak out and remain silent on this issue." A different fundraiser that same weekend brought together spe- cialty-coffee shops to generate money for another community threat- ened by recent developments. The Aleppo Relief Fund, dedicated to supporting the displaced citizens of the Syrian city of Aleppo that has been ravaged by civil war, united participating coffee shops to pledge 5 percent of their sales on February 3 to support the cause. Matt Prior, director of coffee at Encinitas, Calif.'s Lofty Coffee Co. and leader of the project, says the fundraiser generated over $2,300 for the Inter- national Rescue Committee, which provides medical care, supports schools for children, and gives emergency cash to displaced families from Aleppo. The support came from both café sales and money raised through an art show at Encinitas' Ironsmith Coffee Roasters by artist Jenny Farhat. Matt says the main objective of the drive was to not just collect money but to bring attention to the events in Syria. "Raising awareness of this ongoing crisis was a big goal," he says. "Coffee shops are about community; the goal was to gather in our own communities to help those who have been forced out of their own." While many in the industry chose to respond via fundraisers, some coffee companies opted to take individual outreach. One such company was Batdorf & Bronson, based in Olympia, Wash., and Atlanta, which gave each of its 90+ employees an undisclosed sum of money and asked them to support a cause of their choosing. "There were abso- lutely no strings attached," says Batdorf & Bronson's Ben Jones, an educator at the company. "This is very much in keeping with Batdorf & Bronson's belief that the place of a coffeehouse is to provide a space for free discussion and thought, not to direct the conversation." To Ben, it was a respectful choice by Batdorf & Bronson's owners that allowed each employee to speak for themselves. "I appreciate that the company I work for values my voice and actively encouraged me to speak out," he says. The Department of Brewology created this design for Tshirts and posters a er President Trump issued an executive order preventing citizens from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States. At press time, more than 550 Tshirts had been sold, and were still available from www.departmento rewology.com. Below: The Wormhole in Chicago makes it known that all are welcome. PHOTO BY BARBARA KETCHUM PHOTO BY ANDREAS WILLHOFF 22 barista magazine

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