NewsLab

Having supported Starbucks for two years, Port, the CSS coffee shop, recently changed the brand of coffee that they serve from Starbucks to Peace Coffee.

Jack Teske, manager of CSS food service, made the decision to change the brand. Though he used to insist on Starbucks because of the brand name and the taste, boycott from students make him rethink about it. As a recommended brand, Peace Coffee took the chance and made a good presentation which led to the brand change.

“Actually, I like Starbucks because it is famous and tasty,” said Teske, “But a group of students advised me to look at Peace Coffee because it suits our school’s mission better.”

The group was founded in April, and the leader was called Josie Johnson, who is a graduate student at CSS. Some of these students boycotted the Port by refusing to buy food and preventing people from buying food there.

“We think that the mission of our college is to broadcast peace and justice, but Starbucks does poor in fair trade,” said Luke Moravec, coordinator of student activities. “It is related to the army supporting wars, and labors’ rights are not protected so students here should keep away from it.”

Peace Coffee is advertised as “a cultural, social and consumable revolution with grounds firmly fixed in a Farmer Friendly, Fair Trade reality” in its website. Northern Brewer, a complete supplier of home winemaking and beer brewing supplies and equipment, describes that “Peace coffee works with local cooperatives to bring in 100 percent fair trade coffee from the farmers that grow it and delivers the coffee, through all seasons, by bicycle messenger.”  As a result, students tend to support Peace Coffee more than Starbucks.

“Starbucks not only does poor in fair trade, but also donates coffee to troops. I’m happy that Jack finally saw the light and made a good decision.” said Anne Woster, one of the student managers of the Port.