Posted by Rachel | Posted in Coffee and Accessories | Posted on 18-04-2011
Tags: coffee, coffee fair trade organic, coffee fair trade organic shade grown, fairtrade, food, green mountain coffee fair trade organic espresso blend, organic, organic fair trade coffee beans, organic fair trade coffee wholesale, shopping
Coffee: ostentatious consumption good?
Is it fair to say that coffee could be an Veblen (ostentatious consumption) good while bananas are not?
The point I want to make is that people might buy highly priced organic coffee if it is a Fair Trade good, but that less people will be likely to buy expensive bananas as normal, non-organic bananas become cheaper because bananas are normal, basic goods. Anyone think this argument isn’t valid?
You have a point but missed the point of Veblen goods. Since the start of the recession Starbucks has lost market share to Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds with their new coffee offerings. If Starbucks coffee was a Veblen good demand for it would have gone up as people would be using it to show other people that the recession hasn’t hit them.
On a side note, Starbucks takes a lot of flack from environmental groups over their practices and the coffee they serve is nowhere near fair trade standards.
2009 Fair Trade, Nicaragua Coffee Farmers #1: How your morning coffee arrives, Fair Trade Principals
|
|
Baronet Coffee Fair Trade Organic Espresso Dark, 18-Count Coffee Pods (Pack of 3) $23.63 Baronet Coffee Fair Trade Organic Espresso is a specialty Fair Trade Organic coffees that is dark roasted to develop deep smoky flavor with a rich finish…. |
|
|
Reunion Island RI58551 Extra Bold Fair Trade and Organic French Roast Single Cup Coffee Pods, 16-count $8.49 RI58551 Features: -Single cup coffee pod.-12g Box of 16 coffee pods.-Dark roast.-Unlike plastic capsules, pods allow you to appreciate authentic coffee aroma before, during and after the brew..-Eco-friendly pods are compostable and have less packaging than plastic capsule systems.-Made in USA. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 4.25” H x 4.25” W x 8.25” D…. |
|
|
Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Fair Trade Organic South Pacific Dark, 18-Count Pods (Pack of 3) $25.80 Dark Roast – An elegant all-natural blend featuring coffees from the tropical Pacific rim. Fair Trade Organic blend…. |
|
|
Green Mountain Coffee Wild Mountain Blueberry, K-Cup Portion Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers … |
|
|
Green Mountain Coffee Newman’s Special Blend, Medium Roast, K-Cup Portion Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers, 24-Count $10.95 Coffee K-Cup for Keurig Gourmet Single Cup Brewer; no messy grinding or clean up Airtight to lock in freshness and flavor Brewing occurs inside the K-Cup so no flavor residue is left behind to spoil the next cup. Please note: ‘regular’, ‘bold’ and ‘extra bold’ refer to the amount of coffee in the K-Cup… |