Interesting to observe how an Olympic venue inspires human athletes to give their best and to go beyond any limitation. What would it take for business practices to come together as an inspiration created by entrepreneurs and consumers to work together to achieve Global Harmony? Latin Organics definition of Global Harmony is based on trading directly with farmers. Direct Trade empowers farmers so that they may elevate their standards of living. Direct trade creates less carbon footprints because crops travel less from hand to hand. Direct trade diminishes poverty. Any definition of trade called fair is not ethical if poverty continues. Poverty is the living proof that there is no equality- despite any labeling used. Every year here at Latin Organics we travel to Colombia to purchase our coffee beans and it is really demoralizing to see how poverty continues to grow. We can only work with so many farmers at a time, so those that we can not work with continue to struggle. Consumers need to know what they are buying and how it got to their hands. Can business become a tradition of Global Harmony- like the Olympics are a tradition of Global sportsmanship? Direct Trade is like the Olympics- where athletes from all over the world gather to compete in a clean and fair environment. Trade as such is a competition- but we need to create a clean and fair environment to achieve Global Harmony.

During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games, as many people flock into the city to attend this international event-  Vancouverites hold their breath and cross their fingers so that we may have enough snow and effective visibility conditions on our slopes. Mother Nature is asked to cooperate with the event. Visitors to Vancouver are probably astonished with our beautiful mountains and the crystal clear harbors that frame our city. It may also cause a wow effect to see so many coffee shops- in almost every corner- but no snow. Could coffee be one of the crops keeping the snow away- knowing that coffee is the second largest commodity traded on our planet? In some sense we could say yes; more so if that coffee crop is not grown organically. Cutting down native trees, contaminating water reserves and spoiling our soil with chemicals are some of the negative elements that impact our global climate. In many cases when we order a latte, we do not stop to think on the carbon foot print that this cup of coffee has created. Latin Organics strives to support organic farming and direct trade even if this means less profit for our company. With seasonal droughts now in effect in Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Sumatra, etc- coffee prices are soaring. The most eminent danger is that if climate change continues, there may be a day when coffee is not viable to harvest.

How would Vancouver seem during the winter season-with out coffee shops and with no snow? Do re-think what you are purchasing. Aim for Organic certified and Direct trade coffee.

After many months of hard work with building contractors and the City of Vancouver, Latin Organics is finally opening its first Cafe- right in time for the Holiday season.
Being part of the East side of Vancouver gives Latin Organics the opportunity to contribute to the growth and improvement of this section of the city. Bringing an organic,socially rooted and passionate company could not be a better fit and an incredible role model for the area. Latin Organics flagship cafe has the mission to invite Vancouverites and visitors attending the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics to understand Latin Organics important mission, learn about our different business model while drinking our premium organic Colombian coffee in a unique atmosphere that reminds you of the simplicity of Mother Nature-while taking you back to the founder's Colombian roots- with some Latin beats to make you smile. This cafe is a gift to Vancouver in hopes of receiving huge support towards our brand and the Direct trade effort that goes beyond Fair Trade- It is also a sign of gratitude for having received us here as immigrants.With the support of everyone in Vancouver and abroad- Latin Organics brand will continue to grow as well as our out reach towards many Latin American farmers and artesanos through the development of other products.

Visit us:
Latin Organics Cafe
Location: 1326 East Hastings, Vancouver-next to the Gourmet Warehouse.
Phone: 604-255-LATIN (2846).