Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Regan Postma-Montaño, English / World Languages & Cultures; Dr. Thomas Bultman, Biology
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-12-2024
Abstract
This interdisciplinary project on coffee and justice considered the impact of local choices in West Michigan on global producers of coffee from both a biology and humanities perspective. The humanities part of the project included a series of video interviews that captured the perspectives of local coffee leaders (roasters, coffee shop owners, and lead staff members) in West Michigan who have a passion for justice issues in the coffee industry. In these interviews conducted using oral history methodologies, leaders shared their understanding of justice as it relates to coffee production, processing, and consumption; methods of pursuing ethically-sourced coffee (including Fair trade and Organic certifications as well as direct trade partnerships); the centrality of community and hospitality in their businesses; and why coffee and justice matters to them. Videos were disseminated via JSTOR database for use by scholars, students, and the general public. This project also included the creation of learning materials on coffee and justice for classroom use. Along with the videos, the unit offers an overview of coffee and justice, a guided reading of A Cafecito Story / El cuento del cafecito by Julia Alvarez, and an activity with the documentary film After the Harvest: Fighting Hunger in the Coffeelands. In all, this project demonstrates the impacts of local coffee choices on global producers and the myriad connections that coffee can create.
Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Kamper, Megan, "The Local is Global: Voices of Leaders in Coffee Justice" (2024). 23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024). Paper 47.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curca_23/47
April 12, 2024. Copyright © 2024 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Comments
This work was supported by Hope College Global Health.
Title on poster differs from abstract booklet. Poster title: The Local is Global: A Cross-Disciplinary Investigation of Coffee and Justice