LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 18, 2001- 5A
Fair Trade program
-seeks higher wages
Going the distance
By Tomislav Ladika
Daily StaffReporter
With an economic downturn driving coffee
prices down to the lowest level in half a century, the
Fair Trade coffee program airns to ensure small
farmers receive an adequate price for the coffee
they grow.
Nina Luttinger, communications manager for
TransFair, an organization determined to improving
the economic plight of small farmers. said Fair
Trade guarantees farmers a decent wage and
encourages them to organize trade unions.
Small colkfe farmers usually have to sell coffee
to-middlemen at 38 cents per pound Luttinger said.
Production costs average 90 cents per pound. But
companies under the Fair Trade policy buy directly
from the small farmer unions, cut out the middle-
men. and pay SI .26 per pound of coffee. The
unions use this money to improve the lives of farm-
ers and their communities.
The Fair Trade Labeling Organization, founded
in Europe in 1998 with 17 member countries, mon-
itors the small farmers who produce coffee to
ensure they meet Fair Trade criteria.
Honduran farmer Eliva Alvarado spoke to a
group of students in Angell Hall last night to raise
awareness oflthe low prices farmers receive for cof-
fee.
"Because (small farmers) don't have the support
of the government or any other institutions, we
don't have roads, health care and education,"
Alvarado said. "Free Trade coffee helps us because
we get a fair price and we can live a more dignified
life"
Ben I layes, a member of the Environmental Jus-
tice Group at the University, said students need to
realize who produces the coffee they buy.
"Students have to understand they have a
choice of where they buy coffee, and that this
choice directly affects the lives of people;" Hayes
said.
Hayes said the people and cafes he has talked to
so far have been very receptive, but while some of
the coffee shops like the idea of Fair Trade coffee.
they have economic concerns that complicate the
issue. In Ann Arbor, Cava Java and Cafe Verde
serve Fair Trade coflee. Iayes said, and Starbucks
recently began selling whole bean coffee under the
Fair Trade program.
Luttinger said coffee companies like Starbucks
are responsive to consumer pressure to use Fair
Trade coffee, especially from highly educated and
socially conscious customers.
Tommy York, owner of the Big Ten Party Store,
said his store began carrying Fair Trade coffee to
reduce exploitation of third world farmers and
because of product quality. lie said many of his
customers are aware of Fair Trade and buy coffee
because it is sold through the program.
Markus Curry
to stand trial
on 2 charges
By Kristen Beaumont
Daily Staff Rcpnrter
Washtenaw County District Judge Elizabeth lines
ruled yesterday that Markus Curry, a freshman corner-
back on the Michigan football team, will stand trial on
charges of domestic assault and tele-
phone tampering.
Curry entered a plea of not guilty
yesterday during his pretrial.
IlIe could face up to two years in jail
if convicted on the telephone tampering
charge. The domestic assault charge
carries a maximum sentence of 93 days
in prison.
Steven Fishman, Curry's attorney.
said jury selection will begin Dec. 17.
Curry The trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 20.
Curry was arrested at about 2 a.m. Friday at South Quad
Residence Hall after he allegedly committed domestic
assault against a female student and prevented her from
making a phone call.
Curry was held in the Washtenaw County jail until being
arraigned that morning.
Later that evening he was released on S25,000 bond,
which was posted by a family member. Fishman said.
Curry, who did not play in Saturday's game against Pur-
due, has been suspended indefinitely from the team.
DVID R - O -HKIND LIy
University employees Seth Myer and Jason Hohman walk underneath a railroad
bridge on Washington Street yesterday afternoon.
All members of the UM community are invited to participate in this
"PEACE PLANTING"
N
This Week in
Michigan Athletics
Presented by:
Ameritech
of 84,74 G
2000 white
Mount Hood daffodils
will be planted as a
commemoration
of the losses to our
nation and the world on
September 11,2001.
The bulbs are
expected to come up in
early Spring to remind
us of our thoughts and
hopes at this
challenging time.
Volleyball
Friday, October 19
Michigan vs.
#10 Ohio State
7 p.m.
Autograph session
following the match!
Saturday, October 20
Michigan vs.
#11 Penn State
7 p.m.
All matches held at
Cliff Keen Arena
Admission is $4 for adults;
$2 for children & senior citizens.
U-M students admitted for FREE!
For more info. on Michigan
Athletics visit MGoBlue.com.
Hockey
Saturday, October 20
Michigan vs. W. Michigan
7:35 p.m.
Men's Soccer
Sunday, October 21
Michigan vs. Wisconsin
2 p.m.
U-M Soccer Field.
(State Street)
Free Men's Soccer
Team Photo Cards to the
first 500 fans!!!
Admission is FREE!
Free Youth Soccer Clinic
Sponsored by the
Michigan Men's Soccer Program
Saturday, October 20
1-3 p.m. at Elbel Field
Open to boys and girls, ages 7-14.
Women's Soccer
Friday, October 19
Michigan vs. Minnesota
4 p.m.
U-M Soccer Field
(State Street)
Admission is FREE!
Field Hockey
Saturday, October 20
#2 Michigan vs.
#18 Penn State
11 a.m.
Phyllis Ocker Field
Admission is FREE!
PEACE~
Friday, October 19, 2001
9:00 -2:00 pm
At the tear-drop shaped area along the pathway behind Stockwell and CCRB.
Info? Email <arts@umich.edu> or call 764-5123 or 936-5805.
Sponsored by: Arts at Michigan, "Arts on the Hill"/Lloyd Hall Scholars & HousiNg, and UM Department of Grounds
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