COUNTER INTELLIGENCE FARMERS LOST
The worlds of coffee and fair trade paused last month to remember nine members of a Ugandan coffee-farming family who were killed in their home by a mudslide. Lovis Masiga was a found- ing member of the Gumutindo Coffee co-op around Uganda's Mount Elgon. He was at home on Aug. 28 with eight family members—his children and grandchildren—when heavy rains dislodged mud and rock from the slopes above and sent them barreling down the mountainside. In a post on its Web site, Fair Trade USA had the following statement: "It is devastating events like the one described in the letter [from Gumutindo's general manger] that brings urgency to our mission to support farmers and workers around the world." gumutindocoffee.co.ug
People & Products
SWEET SUPPORT
Syrup maker Torani is inviting customers to support its Art for Kids program by purchasing its three limited-edition bottles to ben- efit children in the United States and Japan. Launched in 2004, the program has raised more than $420,000 for the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance. The three bottle labels in this year's campaign were designed by students at an afterschool program in Stratford, Okla. In addition to its Raspberry and Sugar Free French Vanilla syr- ups—the sales of which regularly support children's afterschool pro- grams—this year Torani added Cherry syrup to its lineup, and sales of the product will benefit children affected by Japan's earthquake and tsunami. 800/775-1925. torani.com
LOCO FOR COCOA
5 Sparrows, a gourmet cocoa company based in Northwest Montana, recently announced the launch of its sugar-free product line. The offerings include Sugar-Free Coffee House Chocolate, Sugar- Free Coffee House White Chocolate, Sugar-Free Monumental Spiced Chai and Sugar-Free Vanilla Snow Ghost. The products use the sweetener stevia, which the company says has been recog- nized by medical professionals for its health benefits over Splenda, as well as the sugar alcohol xylitol. 406/755-2652. 5sparrowsbrand.com
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