It’s like early TV. They would always be replacing the actor who plays the dad with somebody else and then they’d say, “the television audience isn’t that discerning”. Like we wouldn’t notice it’s a completely different guy.

No matter who says it, I hate being told I’m stupid- Starbucks included.

As I’ve said many times before, I am a huge fan of the Starbucks chain, because all of the local places I frequent (Remedy, Victrola, Vivace, Joe Bar, and so on) are “inspired by Starbucks.” They created the model and the demand.

It’s totally a gimmick! I am, as a consumer a little insulted of course.

It’s absolutely true that some small, sincere companies make profits and are successful enough for a BIG to come and buy it up- and who can blame them? A farmer works his ass off for 30 years and builds a business and the only way he’ll ever retire is to sell, and a BIG comes along and says “how’d you like 30 million dollars?” and the farmer says, “yah” and gets a place on the beach.

And those companies, even after being purchased by a BIG are still making organic foods but they’re certainly profit driven rather than dream driven- and so is Starbucks. I’m not thinking that I need to spend much time there, but it’s an improvement and so I think, not to be protested. Rather we should spend our time going to other BIGs and saying, “Hey! Starbucks can support local businesses, they can donate leftovers to a foodbank, why are you selling apples in September from Chile?” or whatever.

I do find often die that die hards (the sort that believe we should avoid it at all costs because it’s the MAN) either burn out from spending all of their time making sure they’re not supporting ANY big company ever (and become a typical yuppie (sure, I drive an SUV now, but I used to homestead)), or they’re not really thinking or researching their position and end up supporting the BIGs themselves.

I picked up your book at Arundel books in DT Seattle last Monday and read your book cover-2-cover Saturday! Can I just say I LOVED, LOVED your book! I immediately tested out the almond milk idea and DAMN is that the good stuff! Yum!

My Bad Kitty Book Club at Arundel books is doing something food related for the August book club and I will be making sure all my gal pals read your book it’s great!!!

Ciao! Kristi

I listened to an interview you did on NPR- which I really liked, and immediately bought the book. My son is now 9 months old and eats everything. I think he’s glad I heard your interview too.

I heard a story about fauxbucks too. Initially I thought it was pretty lame. After further thought and a little more information, I do see that it’s a scheme they’re playing but I think serving local/in season foods instead of packaged & shipped crap from some centrally located (we’ll call it) fakery, and trying to integrate themselves into the local economy is a marked improvement, and a good example for other multinationals.

Of course they’re looking for an angle. Of course it’s lame, but now the people who already frequent starbucks are supporting the local economy, they should start serving free trade organics. Myself, I will continue to frequent more local joints.

If you need a frame of reference, almost all your favorite “small” business organics are owed by big companies. Naked Juice-Pepsi, Odwalla- Coke, Seeds of change-Mars, I could go on. Consult http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/services/corporate-acquisitions.html