Local Voices
The Local is Global: Voices of Leaders in Coffee Justice is a video series created through a summer research project at Hope College, funded by the Global Health program. These interviews capture the perspectives of three coffee leaders—coffee shop owners, roasters, and business leaders— from the West Michigan area who have a passion for justice issues in the industry. The goal of this project is to share the voices of these leaders and thus understand the impacts of local choices on global producers and the various connections that coffee can create.
In this summary video, you will hear leaders' perspectives on various topics including their understanding of justice as it relates to coffee, methods of pursuing ethically-sourced coffee, the centrality of community and hospitality in their businesses, and why coffee and justice matters to them.
As and after you watch, you will be invited to reflect on the distinctions and connections you notice in the perspectives of these coffee leaders. Then, you will have the chance to ask questions related to local coffee and its global impact.
PREPARE
Before watching the summary video, take some time to think about what you already know about local coffee shops
What do you know about west Michigan coffee shops Aldea, Stovetop, and Left Field, if anything? Have you heard of any of these coffee shops or visited them? If not, have you visited something similar?
Think about your favorite coffee shop. If you are not a coffee drinker, consider a similar community space (such as a restaurant, park, shop, gym, etc.) where you feel a connection. What do you love or enjoy about this place? Is it the product, the people, and/or the atmosphere? What is the role of this place in your life?
Based on your prior knowledge and experience, how would you describe what justice in coffee means to you? What are key aspects that come to mind? As you watch the video, notice if you see any connections and/or new ideas related to coffee and justice.
WATCH the video
Review the RESPOND questions below before watching, take notes as you watch, and then complete the questions.
The Local is Global: Voices of Leaders in Coffee Justice - Summary Video
RESPOND
What are your initial reactions after watching? Share one or more quotes or stories from these coffee leaders that stood out to you. Explain why it interests you.
What connections do you notice in the perspectives of these coffee leaders? What themes emerge?
What differences do you notice? Where do these coffee leaders have different focuses in their business or distinct understandings of the best ways to approach coffee justice?
What connections do you notice between local choices about coffee and the impacts globally?
How do the voices of these leaders add to your understanding of justice in coffee?
What questions would you add if you were interviewing these coffee leaders? What would you like to know more about?
Activity: Ask your Questions
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As a class or in small groups, discuss the questions you have after watching the video (See Respond #5). What questions or issues come up for you? What would you like to know more about?
Then, explore a particular shop’s website and/or extended interview video (links below) to see if you can find the answer. If not, use the shop’s contact page to ask your questions! See if you get a response!
Final Reflection: What Can You Do?
You've learned about justice issues in coffee, and have heard stories of people are organizations that are seeking justice, including local West Michigan coffee leaders. Hopefully, you have seen how local actions, such as buying a cup of coffee, can have global effects. Now, you will have the opportunity to think about your own role and response.
Write a 2-3 page reflection considering the question: What can you, as an individual and as part of a community, do to contribute to creating a coffee connection where everyone involved can flourish?
In your response, include:
The most impactful thing(s) you have learned about the effects that local actions on global coffee communities, and why learning this was impactful for you.
The role of coffee in your life and the lives of those in your community, and what that means for potential the opportunities you have to respond to what you have learned.
One or two specific things that you could do to respond to what you have learned, and the impact these choices would have.
For number 3, consider the suggestions below, as well as these recommendations from the directors of the film Black Gold, or the ideas at the bottom of this article from Fair World Project.
You are also invited to think of ways that go beyond this list and are specifically relevant to you and your passions. Try to think beyond buying certified coffee. There are many possibilities here!
5 Recommendations for Pursuing Coffee Justice
- Build your Awareness
Continue to learn about where your coffee comes from and increase your awareness of the justice issues in coffee
Learn about producers beyond the product images on your coffee bag. To learn more about the limitations of learning only through marketing materials, read Global Capitalism Organizing Knowledge of Race, Gender and Class: The Case of Socially
2. Ask Questions
Next time you go to a coffee shop, ask the barista where they get their coffee from. Ask how much the farmers get paid and what positive effect the coffee has on their community. Or, next time you buy coffee at a store, look up the business’s website. Send them an email to ask about their sourcing practices.
3. Vote with your Dollar
Choose to buy coffee that supports growers, communities, and ecosystems. Be willing to pay a little extra, knowing where that money goes.
Check out…
Interviews with local coffee shops
Green America’s coffee/tea sustainability search page
4. Take on the Larger Issues
We are not only consumers, we are also citizens. The directors of the film Black Gold explain how, in addition to ethical consumerism, we need to address the larger inequalities in international trade:
"We can also exert ourselves as global citizens. More and more people are joining protests and petitions that challenge the large international institutions (WTO, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund) that impose unfair policies on countries in the South. Together with western governments they create an international trading environment that keeps the poor even poorer by denying access to our markets, maintaining an unfair subsidy system, keeping them dependent on our aid, indebted to our bank loans and ignoring the issue of transparent governance and corruption. This has to stop and global citizens need to make our politicians know." (Black Gold Movie)
5. Spread the Word
In a video conversation we (the research team of Hope College project “The Local is Global") had with a Costa Rican coffee producer, we asked what recommendations he had for Hope students who wish to make a positive impact in coffee justice. He encouraged students to share what they’ve learned with others, creating “consumer cooperatives” that work together for just coffee. Just as coffee producer cooperatives can share equipment and knowledge and advocate for better wages and just working conditions more effectively as a whole, consumers also have more power to create change when united in groups.
Tell a friend or family member about what you have learned. Invite them to join you in thinking about what you can do.
Extension Activity
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Coffee Shop Visit
Visit a local coffee shop to learn more about the coffee they serve and the impact it has.
References
Black Gold Movie. “Directors FAQ.” https://blackgoldmovie.com/directors-faq.
Canning, Anna. “Low Prices and Exploitation: Recurring Themes in Coffee.” Fair World Project (blog), September 28, 2018. https://fairworldproject.org/low-prices-and-exploitation-recurring-themes-in-coffee/.
Cole, Nicki Lisa. “Global Capitalism Organizing Knowledge of Race, Gender and Class: The Case of Socially Responsible Coffee.” Race, Gender & Class, vol. 15, nos. 1/2, 2008, pp. 170–87.
“Fairly Traded Coffee, Chocolate, Tea & Snacks – Equal Exchange.” https://shop.equalexchange.coop/.
“Green America.” https://www.greenamerica.org/all-business-listings?field_category_target_id=261.
“Just Coffee.” https://www.justcoffee.org/.
The Local is Global: Voices of Leaders in Coffee Justice. Interviews by Dr. Regan Postma-Montaño and Megan Kamper, Videography by David Lee, 2023. https://www.jstor.org/site/hope/coffeejustice/.