Recently there has been a lot of buzz about coffee on TCU’s campus. As co-coordinator of Frogs for Fair Trade I am ecstatic about the commotion. It was reported March 8 that we, Frogs for Fair Trade, would soon be part of a national campaign aimed at converting all Jazzman’s Caf‚ locations to provide 100 percent fair trade coffee, cocoa and tea. This is true; however, some facts regarding the campaign must be cleared up.

Fair Trade is not a flavor of coffee nor is it a brand of coffee. Fair Trade is a certification that tells us, the consumers, a farm cooperative is providing living wages for the producers and is acting on the environment with sustainability in mind.

A source in the article points out that a 100 percent conversion is not possible “because (Jazzman’s) needs to sustain its own brand name coffee.” Jazzman’s Caf‚ uses Seattle’s Best coffee, a subsidiary of Starbucks. So while the bag may have a Jazzman’s logo, the coffee within the bag is roasted by Seattle’s Best. The Jazzman’s brand would be sustained during a Fair Trade conversion because Seattle’s Best offers Fair Trade certified coffee.

Another source’s claim that Seattle’s Best had to be switched to Rainforest Alliance in the fall semester does not seem likely. Rainforest Alliance is a certification, not a brand. So while Jazzman’s may offer a coffee certified by Rainforest Alliance, there was no change in brands. Seattle’s Best, or any other coffee roaster can purchase certified Rainforest Alliance beans. No brand switch has to take place, as is the case with tea.

The current provider of Jazzman’s tea, The Republic of Tea, has many fair trade options available, though none here at TCU.

While the prices of the products at Jazzman’s will increase, it will not be dramatic. The increase in price is not without justification. It not only ensures farmers of living wages and environmentally sustainable farming practices, it also benefits the consumer by offering a quality coffee well worth the price.

The house editorial March 9 was absolutely correct in saying we must pay attention to market forces. Our job now as promoters of Fair Trade is to create the demand for fair trade products. We have been educating the TCU campus about fair trade since the group was formed in February 2005. Perhaps you have been in a class that has had a Fair Trade group member come speak. Perhaps you have stopped by one of our information tables at Senseless Acts of Comedy or in the Student Center. Education, as the editorial points out, is the essential tool with which to carve a wider niche for our cause.

A 100 percent conversion to fair trade coffee in Jazzman’s would be an example of the market speaking. We do not expect Jazzman’s to listen to our group of 15 people on the campus of TCU.

Let this discussion be the alarm bell for those market forces. It is time for us, TCU students, to wipe the malaise from our eyes as we begin to emerge from our consumer sleepwalk. Let this be a starting block for a new TCU.

Seth Harris, junior, co-coordinator of Frogs for Fair Trade