London Stations Lose Fair-Trade Shops
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK 
on 08. 1.07
AMT are a chain of cafes that operate out of London train stations. They serve only fair-trade coffee, which we like - both for its ethical sourcing and its early morning caffeine kick. Unfortunately though, they have lost the contract to work out of Network Rail's stations and the company that is replacing them doesn't offer any fair-trade options at all.
As London is aiming to become a fairtrade city, this seems like a backward move to us. I'm sure that there are all sorts of financial and contractual reasons for the change, but the least that Network Rail could do is add a clause in the contract that fair-trade coffee must be available, if not mandatory.
According to Londonist, the loss will mean 20,000 fewer cups of fair-trade coffee being sold each day, and a £7,000 loss in investment for farming communities. They aren't just complaining either - they offer a solution, too, "If it bothers you that you won’t be able to get your caffeine fix with a clear conscience first thing in the morning, there are things you can do.
Email Barbara Barnes, the Head of Customer Service at Network Rail at Barbara.Barnes@networkrail.co.uk, expressing your concern that it is important to offer fair-trade produce, whether by AMT or not, as an easily accessible option in these mainline stations." ::Londonist
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The email address here is actually wrong, but instead just click on http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/2709.aspx to fill in the email form that'll be passed on to the right person.
Rejecting fair-trade coffee itself is a ethical issue just as other cargos.the governor must establish good relationship and cooperation with the producer especially farmer because they are direct beneficiary,and Londonist should be responsible for the incorrect decision and also the huge consumers also including tourist from other nations.
AMT served Fairtrade due to customer demand. So if customers still demand Fairtrade they should walk a few yards more to the nearest Pret, which seems recently to have switched to Fairtrade (and Organic). Vote with your feet, dammit!
Also where do you get your figures from? 20,000 cups a day seems a lot. Even on a busy weekday that's a lot of footfall for 10 stores. And how do you work out an extra £7000 for farmers. Is that per day, per month, per year?