cross posted at faboo mama
"What is this?" you wonder. A challenge? What about the babies? Where are pictures? I thought fabooj hated Starbucks. Well, I do. And...I could bore you with the blurry details over the last few weeks of how much Ilia loves her little brother, how we're still swamped with work and how tired we both are, but this may prove to be a little more interesting. But you'd expect that. I hate to be predictable, so you get this instead. Besides, I rarely posts diaries so this is my contribution for the quarter.
Join me on the flip to celebrate this Challenge...
See. I have severe issues with Starbucks. I won't even list them all. Let's just say that they're lucky they're so ubiquitous or I'd never have a cup of their burnt and greasy joe ever. I'm not even going to go on my annual rant against that horrid Christmas Blend (pine needles and burnt cinnamon, are
not a basis for a brew). There is one great thing about Starbucks. Say it with me people:
Arabian Mocha Sanani. The most delicious brew, with great aroma and slightly chocolately flavor. It's perfection in bean shape. The best way to have it, is to buy a bag of beans and grind them yourself at home. Use freezing cold water in your coffee pot (yeah, it does make a huge difference) and don't let it sit. Once we find the lid to our grinder, or buy a decent one, I plan on getting some Arabic Sunani to use in our french press.
I digress...One other thing that Starbucks likes to tout is their Fair Trade coffee. Sounds good and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing you're helping others less fortunate than you. But I can think of maybe 7 times in the last 7 years I've actually seen FT coffee for sale in my local Starbucks. A few years ago, I just assumed this is just BS like their claims of offering health benefits to employees, even though they try to minimize workers hours so most aren't eligible for those benefits. Anyway, I've been thinking a lot lately about their FT coffee. Today, I stumbled across Starbucks Challenge 3.0 over at green LA girl's blog. Through her, I learn the following:
So Starbucks admitted it hasn't lived up to its own highly trumpeted fair-trade-friendly policy to French press a cup of fair trade coffee for anyone who asks for it. It's a "break down in customer service," Starbucks said, and sent out some emails to its stores.
But two months into the challenge, things STILL haven't improved much. And the mermaid STILL hasn't answered our questions -- How does Starbucks plan to fix the problem? When?
Regardless of politics, most of us agree on one thing: If a company makes a promise, it should stick to it.
Wh-wh-waaaatt??? French press a cup of their fair trade coffee? I had never heard of this. How delightful would it be to get a fresh cup of FT coffee? Hell, how delightful would it be to get a fresh cup of coffee period?
Well, I'm always up for a challenge, especially if it's against a corporation who chaffs my hide. I'm in on this one. But. I need your help to win. That's where you come in, dear reader. If you are like most people I know and need to have a latte just to motivate, can you spread the word (i.e., email this link) and let everyone know that faboo mama says, "Just ask!" You don't have to buy the FT coffee if you must have your non-cap, double spigot, countrywide, yoga chai (I usually order a venti drip, so excuse me if I messed up something there), but at least ask if they'll do this.
I'm counting on you people. We have until Dec. 16th, so I'll try to hit up every Starbucks I can and I hope you do the same. You can email me the torrid details or just post them up here. Between today and the 16th, I'll go to a different Starbucks to enquire on getting me my FT coffee. Also, they'll pick 2 winners who spurred most people to sign onto their letter to Starbucks. When you sign, please post that faboo or fabooj sent you their way. Maybe add the link to my blog. And tell them how cute I am...I think they need to know that.
If I win, I will thank you from the bottom of my blogging heart. If I lose, I'll be so depressed that I won't post any more pictures of my children and none of you will be able to see them until they graduate from college. Fair enough? Let the games begin!