I have my heart set on organic [0], Fair Trade [1] coffee, which I know it is a good thing. But having your heart set on anything is often just the first step in a very long walk. We have the kindest office manager in the world [1], and still I feel hesitant about approaching Marianne to ask questions. Supplying our office with everything we need is her job, and the choices she has made are based on years of experience as to what works and what does not. I’m in no position to suggest “a better solution.”

I figure the only way this change can happen is if I ask what her preferences and restrictions are, what her price point is, what limitations and deliverables must be respected. It turns out to be a very nice conversation. Talking through Marianne’s process, I realize that my primary obstacle is finding a new coffee distributor for us, which isn’t going to be easy, as in addition to supplying our coffee, we get various other items from our current distributor: coffee machines, water coolers, tea, sugar, hot chocolate and sweeteners. Yet none of our current distributors’ affiliates are 100% Certified Fair Trade [1] and Organic, though they do have Certified Fair Trade and Organic options available.

My next steps:

1) I send out a request to various other coffee distributors in New York, hoping to locate one that works with a 100 % Certified Fair Trade and Organic supplier.

2) I contact our current distributor to get an understanding of which of their coffee suppliers comes the closest to meeting my requirements.

And this is where I’m at today. Crunching numbers and reviewing information. Though I was able to locate that one, precious 100 % Fair Trade and Organic distributor [2], two days later I am still waiting for a call from their sales department. Which I almost don’t want. Because I’m really worried they are going to quote way outside of my price point. Which will crush me a little.

So I’ll just give them another day to get back to me...