Fair-trade coffee branded a spin tactic

London: Nestlé, the world's largest and most ethically questioned food and drink company, has introduced a brand of coffee in Britain that offers a better deal for the growers.

But the initiative has divided the company's critics, some of whom congratulated it for encouraging the growth of fair trade, while others said it was a cynical attempt to improve the company's global reputation.

Nestlé, which has a turnover of $US67 billion ($88 billion) and buys 750,000 tonnes of coffee beans a year, refused to say how much it expected to sell under its new Partners' Blend label, but insisted it wanted to help farmers in Africa and Latin America.

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Jamaica's Rare Blue Mountain coffee is becoming rarer

JAMAICA'S RARE Blue Mountain coffee is becoming rarer and more expensive in foreign markets and Jamaican consumers may soon start feeling the effects.

The repeated devastation of Jamaica's coffee crop over two years has cut supplies in half. The result has been a scramble for the scarce beans in foreign markets.

"After Hurricane Ivan hit, there was a 50 per cent falloff in production," said chief executive officer of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory and Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) president, senator Norman Grant.

The country produced five million pounds of Blue Mountain coffee before the hurricane, he said. Afterwards, the output fell to 2.6 million pounds resulting in industry revenues dropping from US$40 million to about US$22 million.

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Coffee Fest Seattle Early Bird Registration

Coffee Fest Seattle Early Bird Registration Only $20 per person closes Saturday, October 8 th, 2005

Coffee Fest continues to evolve and provide everything possible to offer the best value today for any retail coffee trade show attendee, exhibitor or sponsor. In terms of return on investment, attendees, exhibitors and sponsors can expect the best bang for their buck at Coffee Fest Trade Shows. Coffee Fest is a terrific opportunity to see the latest products and network with your peers.

NEW FOR SEATTLE 2005

FREE FOR FIRST 1500 ATTENDEES : Amazing Gift Bag filled with six wonderful Items.
I.A.S.C. Hands-On Barista Training Workshops
I.A.S.C. Barista Certification Testing.
Stirling Signature Beverage Open
Now five FREE classrooms to choose from each hour 8:00am – 12:00 daily
Special Saturday Night Reception with DJ Brad, Sonic Funk Orchestra and KC & the Sunshine Band.(space limited – $15 pre-registration required, while supply lasts)
Early Bird registration closes October 8, 2005. Register today by visiting www.coffeefest.com or calling 425 283-5058 ext 13.

Early Bird Registration at CoffeeFest.com