Chicago Coffee Closed Sunday April 25th

Chicago Coffee will be closed Sunday April 25th and will have a delayed open until 12 pm (noon) Monday April 26th.

Make A Difference- Yushu Earthquake

A week ago this morning I was driving home to Kunming when Jack, one of my staff and one of my closest friends, called to tell me his hometown had been just hit by a massive earthquake demolishing everything in their town. Jiegu, his hometown in Qinghai province near Tibet, was hit the hardest destroying every home and building trapping thousands, killing more than 3000 and injuring 10,000.

5 of Jack's extended family lost their lives and the homes of his parents and uncles and cousins were all destroyed. Despite their livelihood hanging in the balance they have brought lost children into their home that have become orphans from the earthquake. Jack's sister had fortunately been out of the city at the time but that same morning learned that her cancer had gotten worse and that she would have to undergo chemotherapy which they can not afford. She is 24 years old. Jack's family is really struggling.

Starting today, April 21st, Chicago Coffee will begin raising money to help Jack's family and the orphans that still need a place to live. 20% of all sales through the end of the month will go to this end and we will be collecting any direct donations to this effort as well. For more info, please email me at chris@thechicagocoffee.com.

Why China needs fairer traded coffee... pt 1

Reason #1- the Math

The average Chinese farmer in southern Yunnan has anywhere from 1 to 10 hectares of land and depending on way the coffee was planted and the yield of each coffee tree 1 hectare of land produces about 1.2 tons of coffee cherries that are harvested once a year.

From one hectare farmers can expect about 1.2 tons of coffee cherries which then dried produces about 240 KG of green coffee beans. Those 240 KG of coffee beans can then be sold at an average price of 10 RMB per KG. So under most conditions farmers receive 2400 RMB per hectare per year. Leaving many families to live off roughly 352 USD a year from their coffee yield. Now many have multiple hectares of coffee trees and/or other crops but for most growing coffee can be a struggle.

Earthquake in western China

Pray for those affected by the earthquake that 2 hours ago shook southern Qinghai province. Pray that they find those children that are missing and for those families who have lost loved ones.


- Posted via iPhone