VCC donates to ADPSR's Mumford Awards


This weekend, in Chicago, ADPSR (Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility) is hosting the 2009 Mumford Awards for Peace Community Development and the Environment. At this event community organizers, green activists, design practitioners, student, and people interested in sustainability will be coming together to honor 3 amazing organizations.

This two day event will feature guest speakers, FREE food from a green caterer, free drinks from a local brewery and winery, live local music, interactive art, and door prizes (provided by Vienna Coffee Company and Chopin Theatre). It will be a perfect way to allow people to know what is going on in Chicago, get connected, and honor organizations who are already doing some great things!

On Sunday they will be putting words into action and chartering a bio-diesel bus to Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living's eco-campus. This day will be filled with different permaculture type projects (natural construction building, erecting a yurt, and erecting a chicken coop).

If you are interested in more information about this event check out: www.adpsr.org/chicago

La Armonia Hermosa coffee farm visit

Les Stoneham is on his way down to Guatemala later this week to continue his work with the coffee farmers in Santa Maria de Jesus. This is the community from which we get our wonderful La Armonia Hermosa coffee.

He and a group of volunteers from Cincinnati will be meeting the coffee farmers and their families and working on construction projects in the village for the next two weeks. It should be a great trip! Please check for updates on their website.

Les has just recently created a non-profit called Deeper Roots Development which will allow the La Armonia Hermosa cooperative and future projects better access to funding and organization. With this exciting new venture, Deeper Roots is looking for people interested in investing in the farmers through micro-loans to fund the construction of a much needed beneficio (processing plant) that will enable the farmers to process their own crop and receive more income. The interest on these loans will be paid back in the form of fresh La Armonia Hermosa Coffee!

If you are interested in learning more about this or about going down and visiting the farmers please contact les@laarmoniahermosa.com

Weekly Deal:
La Armonia Hermosa coffee was such a hit this year, that we sold out! So in anticipation of next year's batch, our weekly deal revolves around the anticipation of our next batch of La Armonia Hermosa Coffee. Order any VCC coffee this week online and 15% of your purchase will go to supporting Deeper Roots, and you also will receive a FREE 2oz bag of coffee with your order. Please make sure you specify in the comments area at checkout which 2oz bag of coffee you would like. Thanks for supporting Deeper Roots!

WEEKLY DEAL: Fair Trade Origins


Did you know the Fair Trade movement grew out of religious initiatives for selling refugee-made handicrafts in the aftermath of WWII? It has grown rapidly since the 1980s with the coffee trade at its cutting edge. Fair Trade coffee guarantees a livable income to farmers and finances schools, water systems and other community-controlled project in coffee growing areas.

Buy any of VCC's Fair Trade coffee online this week and receive a free 2oz. sample bag of a Fair Trade coffee of your choice. Please make sure you designate which sample bag you would like in the comments section at check out so we will know that you saw this weekly deal.