Protest Exploitation of Farmers- Nationwide Day of Action Against Folgers

************* ACTION ALERT *************ACTION ALERT**************

KICK THE CAN!
Protest Exploitation of Farmers- Nationwide Day of Action Against Folgers
December 15, 2001

Millions of coffee farmers around the world who depend on their harvests
to provide for their families are facing debt and starvation. That's
because global coffee prices have plummeted in recent years, and are now
at an all-time low of less than 50 cents per pound. This worldwide
coffee crisis threatens to ruin an entire generation of families and is
causing problems such as malnutrition in Nicaragua, rural unrest in
Mexico, and increased drug cultivation in Colombia. "Fair Trade Certified" coffee can turn
these problems around because it guarantees farmers a minimum of $1.26 per
pound. With this income, farmers can put food on the table and shoes on
their kids' feet. Although 100 other US coffee companies have already
made a commitment to Fair Trade, Folgers has not yet done so, choosing
instead to let millions of farmers and their families get roasted and
ground. In addition, consumers haven't seen any discounts because
Folgers is pocketing the difference. While P & G¹s Folgers brand made
over $1 billion last year, the average coffee farmer made about $300.
This is outrageous and morally unacceptable! Last year, Fair Trade
cooperatives produced 165 million pounds of coffee but sold only 30
million pounds under Fair Trade terms. With just 5% of Procter &
Gamble¹s purchasing, we could DOUBLE the amount of Fair Trade coffee
sold WORLDWIDE!!

What you can DO:

* Participate in the "Nationwide Folgers Day of Action" on December 15,
2001. Let Folgers know that it's wrong to exploit farmers in a time of
crisis. Download the Day of Action flyer
http://www.globalexchange.org/economy/coffee/folgers.html

* Distribute leaflets about the coffee crisis and Folgers wherever
Folgers is sold. Download the leaflet at the website above.

* Write or fax a letter to Procter and Gamble, the company that owns
Folgers. Fax a letter direct from our website at our website above. To
send an e-mail, go to the Folgers website http://www.folgers.com. Call
them at 1-800-937-9745 to demand Fair Trade coffee.

* Gather petitions asking Folgers to start retailing Fair Trade coffee.
http://www.globalexchange.org/economy/coffee/folgers.html

* Call or write us for more ideas and details, and to let us know if
you¹re planning an action. Contact Melissa at
melissa@globalexchange.org or 415.255.7296 x245.

Farmers deserve Fair Trade!!

Let's all get together and KICK THE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!