Naturality, a “student-led organization at Chatham University that advocates for health, nutrition, sustainability, and environmental activism issues,” is hosting a screening of the documentary Connected By Coffee on Saturday, September 13 at 7:00pm in the Rea Coffeehouse. 
The film documents the travels of two American roasters through coffee cooperatives in four Central and South American Countries. The filmmakers explore the social and economic effects of the coffee growing industry in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Visit the film’s website before and after the viewing for resources to get involved in your community and around the world! Or, visit the Book Display on the library’s First Floor for books on economics, industrialism, and development in Latin America.
Shopping for Fair Trade and Equal Exchange products is one way that you can impact the lives of growers around the world. One of the companies that works to provide fair wages and policies for coffee farmers (and growers of other produce) is Equal Exchange.
Their website provides a helpful country by country history of the coffee industry and socioeconomic impact of the crop. You can learn more about the products in your grocery store by looking for their logo and reading descriptions of their practices online.
If you’re interested in social documentaries, check out one of these similar titles:
- The Take (2006) – A group of Argentinian automotive workers take over a factory following the 2001 economic collapse.
- The Future of Food (2004) – Are there consequences to what you eat?
- Black Gold (2006) – Discover the injustices behind your morning cuppa Joe.
September 11, 2014 at 8:57 am
When is the screening?
September 11, 2014 at 9:25 am
Excellent question, Dan! The screening is this Saturday, September 13 at 7pm in Rea Coffeehouse. The post has been updated to include this information.