I thought the third wish list would be developed in the event that I were laid off.  But, G-d willing, that won't happen to me or any of us.  So, instead, my third wish list is the list of good will.  It assumes all bets are off, Christmas is magic, and anything is possible.

2008 Coffee Wishlist #3: The Good Will List

Here goes:

1. Increase Demand for Fair Trade Coffee by 10,000%

It will be a marvelous day when the majority, not the minority of coffee consumers insist their coffee comes from sources that fairly compensate the growers.  So many growers live in desperate poverty by American, Canadian, and European standards.  This wish would be that small growers were paid an amount for their coffee that let them live in safe, strong communities with the same opportunities for education and economic development that most of us enjoy.  Yeah, it's a big wish.   We'd all end up paying more for our coffee.  Isn't the integrity worth it?  Here's a great article by Jonathan Colman at the Nature Conservancy on coffee sustainability.

2. Cut the Number of Paper Cups in Half

The number of trees used to produce the paper cups used by coffee shops in a given year is astronomical.  If coffee consumers would just use stainless or ceramic cups at their favorite coffee house half the time, it would create a huge paper and tree savings.  If some of us use them all the time, it would make up for those that will never do.  Don't forget this awesome ceramic cup that looks just like your friend's disposable one.

3. Continue the Legacy of Ron Kyle and RK Drums

This year, Ron Kyle, maker of the RK Drum for BBQ grill coffee roasting passed away quickly, after suffering a brief illness.  The outpouring of praise for Ron online and on the email lists was amazing.  People overwhelmingly described him as an honest, genuine person who was a pleasure to do business with.  In the last decade, few have done more than Ron to advance the art of backyard roasting.  So, this wish is to reopen the RK Drum business and carry on Ron's spirit of good service and support for those of us who enjoy homeroasted coffee.  Here's an archived version of Ron's web site.

4. Send Coffee to People Serving Abroad

Look, I don't support the war and seldom US foreign policy over the last decade.  But, I've had friends and family who've given of themselves to protect and defend the USA.  The notion of leaving one's husband, wife, and children to live in a war zone or foreign country isn't one that most of us would even entertain.  I've heard that good (any!) coffee is hard to come by in Iraq, Afghanistan, and any number of places people are serving.  This wish involves giving all of those who are giving of themselves and are away from their families this year a pound of fresh roasted coffee and an easy way to make and enjoy it. 

I heard a story on NPR about a returned soldier who mentions his enjoyment of fine coffee in a french press in the field that drives this one home.

5. Give the Cranky People of Alt.Coffee Grace and Patience

I've posted several times this year on the alt.coffee discussion list.  I thought it would be a great place as a coffee newbie to learn as well as to share ideas.  Several of my posts received aggressive, snarky replies by folks with a certain better-than-thou arrogance - like this one.  It'd be great if that list were easier for us all to use...it would do lots to spread the enjoyment of coffee.  This wish is for those cranks on the list to have patience and grace bestowed upon them.

What's on Your List?

So, that's it. My third and final list.  If I receive any of the coffee wishes on this year's list, I'll be quite grateful.  I'd love to hear what's on your list.  Tell us in the comments below.