St. Theresa Coffee Project Update

St. Theresa Coffee Project uses Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate and Work of Human Hands craft and gift items. In less than 5 years, St. Theresa has sold over $20,000 in coffee, tea, chocolate and Work of Human Hands handcrafts, ensuring artisans and farmers a living wage for their families.

Purchasing Fair Trade products generates 5 primary benefits:

1) The farmer or artisan is guaranteed a fair price for what they produce;

2) CRS donates 7.5% of all their sales to the Fair Trade Fund, that gives developmental grants and loans to farmers and artisans to modernize their operations to compete on the global market;

3) Fair Trade products are organically produced with sustainable agriculture methods, which supports and protects the environment;

4) Purchasing Fair Trade products allows our parishioners to put into action our belief in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

5) These high quality, unique products and delicious items from around the world are here at the church, making it easy for you to participate in this work of justice.

The beautiful, hand-crafted kiosk located in the back of the church, made by Virgil Deering, has increased fair trade sales significantly. This innovative self-service feature allows parishioners the flexibility of purchasing Fair Trade items whenever the church is open. Word of the St. Theresa Coffee Project success has spread to other parishes and many churches have requested detailed information on how the St. Theresa Coffee Project operates in order to bring increased Fair Trade sales to their own parish. Additionally, CRS has requested pictures and information on the St. Theresa Coffee Project to give a success story of promoting Fair Trade products at a parish level.

Since 2005 prices have remained steady. However, effective with March coffee sales, a small price increase is necessary to keep pace with global inflation and increased energy costs. Yet you will find that Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate are still bargains compared to the premium coffee shop brands!

Regular Coffee $8.50	Tea $3.50
Costa Rican (light) ground (new!)	English Breakfast
Breakfast Blend (medium) ground	Green
Hope & Justice (medium) ground	Chai
Peruvian (dark) ground
Peruvian (dark) whole bean	Specialty Tea $4.50
	Earl Grey
Decaffeinated Coffee	Rooibus
Peruvian (dark) ground $9.50	Spiced Rooibus (new!)
Hazelnut Crème $9.50
Half-Caffeinated (medium) ground $9.00	Divine Chocolate Bars $2.25
	Dark
Flavored Coffee $8.50	Dark w/Fruit & Nuts (new!)
Carmel Toffee	Milk
Hazelnut Crème	Milk w/Hazelnuts

If you haven’t already tried CRS Fair Trade Coffee and Tea, stop back at the back of the church and see what is available. On the last weekend of the month, coffee sales are staffed by Social Concerns members and pre-orders are taken for those who want to make sure they get their favorites each month!

For more information regarding the St. Theresa Coffee Project or to order Work of Human Hands items and receive a 10% discount and free shipping through the Coffee Project, contact Anita Holub at 251-6889 or at anitah@q.com

St. Theresa Church is proud to serve CRS Fair Trade Coffee each Sunday for Coffee and Doughnuts!