Editor’s note: Erin Meister, a frequent contributing writer to Barista Magazine as well as our publication’s trusted Copy Editor, is a regional representative for Counter Culture Coffee’s (CCC) Counter Intelligence education program, and is based in New York. Meister ”as she is referred to by the many who know and love her in the coffee industry ”wrote to tell me about a super cool program CCC is organizing along with Rishi Tea, Taza Chocolates, King Arthur Flour, and others called Sustainable Summer, which kicked off Monday. The program is an interactive August campaign designed to encourage people ”coffee pros and consumers alike ”to make small changes in an effort to “green” five aspects of their everyday lives: food, work, home, travel, and leisure. Below on the blog, Meister tells us more about it. Look for additional posts by Meister about the Sustainable Summer project as the season continues, right here on Barista Magazine’s blog.
By Erin Meister, Counter Culture Coffee
Part of what we love most about summer is the time we get to relax outdoors, slow down from life’s hectic pace, and reflect on the months gone by. This August, Counter Culture Coffee invites you to put that relaxed, reflective mood to good use by making small, positive changes to your everyday habits, and living a little greener before the leaves turn brown.
Each week through throughout August, via the company’s Sustainable Summer Facebook group, they’ll offer suggestions for little things we can all do to challenge climate change and preserve our collective natural resources ”not least of all, coffee! By tackling habits in the areas of Home, Work, Leisure, Transportation, and Food, participants will be able to see firsthand how big an impact even small actions can make.
Participants will have the chance to enter raffles for great prizes (including coffee, tea, and chocolate) as a reward for green deeds done well. The month will end with a celebration on August 30, held simultaneously at Counter Culture’s regional training centers and featuring organic snacks, lively conversation, and a panel discussion with several sustainability movers and shakers. Tweet and Instagram your progress with #SustainableSummer, too.
Join Counter Culture Coffee, as well as co-sponsors Rishi Tea, Taza Chocolates, King Arthur Flour, and TS Designs, and send this summer out with a sustainable bang! Take the pledge at www.facebook.com/groups/sustainablesummer, or e-mail green@counterculturecoffee.com for more information.
