IPI Goes Fair Trade

Here is a sample afternoon at Idea Platforms Inc.: the five of us sit around the conference table, notebooks out, while Anna animatedly dissects the qualities and weaknesses of her shakshuka-with-polenta brunch. Or John, eyes pointed upwards, tries to convey the experience of the heavenly gnocchi at one of Boston’s hottest Italian restaurants. (Then, of course, the conversation turns back to our books).

It’s true, we’re foodies. And as foodies who are also writers, we know that it is our responsibility to make ethical choices about the things we eat. While doing research for our HOT new book (still in the top-secret stage!) we met and spoke with Bryant Terry, chef and author of Vegan Soul Kitchen, who believes that food is justice. We love the work he does towards food empowerment: and his recipe for black-eyed pea fritters.

When we were working on Globality, we learned about the role of food in the newly expanding global market. We learned how new global businesses increase our access to some of our favorite exotic foods, from bananas to Palaw (basmati rice with saffron and dates). We also learned about how these foods can come at the expense of the countries they grow in, which do not always have environmental standards or labor regulations.

That’s why at IPI we have decided to switch exclusively to Fair Trade coffee in our office. Fair Trade coffee is certified by a third-party organization which monitors for several standards of ethical farm practices, including giving fair wages to farm workers, and farming in a more sustainable way. Here’s more information about TransFair USA, the primary North America fair trade certifier.

We know that buying fair trade coffee is a small step. But we already recycle our cardboard and use compact fluorescent light bulbs. We are proud to add fair trade coffee to the list of things we do to show our support for a global marketplace which upholds ethical and environmental standards while still providing access to some of the things — and especially to the foods — that we love.