Through just one cup of coffee, we are inextricably connected to the livelihoods of millions of people around the world who are struggling to survive.--from the Director's Statement, Black Gold

Black Gold is the kind of movie that makes you want to buy Fair Trade certified coffee, chocolate, Fair Trade everything. Now when I see a Fair Trade certified symbol, I see two images from Black Gold in my mind: one of a long table of Ethiopian women sorting through thousands of coffee beans by hand for 50 cents a day, and another of an Ethiopian child being weighed at a therapeutic feeding station to determine if he is undernourished enough to receive food. According to Black Gold, a 1% increase in Africa's share of world trade would bring in five times more than what it receives in aid.

Black Gold tells the story of Tadesse Meskela, the manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union in Ethiopia. During the film, Meskela tries to find buyers who will pay a higher price for his farmers' coffee. 67% of Ethiopia's export income is from coffee, so Meskela's story is the story of many Ethiopian farmers.

You'll probably be buying and drinking a lot of coffee this holiday season, so please consider buying Fair Trade coffee. According to TransFair USA, Fair Trade means fair price, fair labor conditions, direct trade, democratic and transparent organizations, community development, and environmental sustainability. You can search for fair trade coffee near you on the TransFair USA site, and I was able to pick up a two-page list of where to buy Fair Trade Products in the East Bay at the Roxie after the film. The list was created by the Bay Area Fair Trade Coalition. They have posted a list of places where you can buy Fair Trade products in San Francisco online.

Black Gold is still playing at the Roxie in San Francisco through November 22nd, and at the Rafael Film Center in San Rafael through November 23rd.

Britt Bravo also blogs at BlogHer, Have Fun * Do Good and NetSquared.