There’s no better time than now to talk about why the Co-op loves Equal Exchange. October, after all, is not just Co-op month, but it’s also Fair Trade month and Non-GMO month. Equal Exchange deserves praise and recognition for their efforts in advancing the goals of all three movements while providing us with absolutely delicious chocolate, coffee, and tea. Let’s take a look at what makes Equal Exchange so great!
Co-ops All the Way Down
The three founders of Equal Exchange met while working at a New England food co-op in the late 1980s, and sought out worker-controlled coffee farms to source their ethically produced coffee. Read more about Equal Exchange’s history at their website (some interesting tidbits include Equal Exchange’s first ever coffee embroiling them in a conflict with the Reagan administration over trade with Sandanistan Nicaragua, and an important early investment from a group of midwestern Dominican Sisters).
Equal Exchange’s history has made it what it is today: a worker cooperative owned and operated by over 130 worker-owners. Everyone at Equal Exchange has an equal say in setting the direction of the company, sharing in its financial success, and helping make it even better as it grows. Equal Exchange is a co-op. Learn more about their cooperative structure here.
Equal Exchange also buys from cooperatives. It was founded in order to move our international trade system away from the exploitative, hierarchical, plantation-focused system that is so sadly prevalent. They work with over 40 small farmer organizations all over the world to ensure that your purchase of coffee, tea, or chocolate is helping to grow the cooperative economy, uplift farmers, and create a world where everyone is treated with the dignity and autonomy that they deserve.
When you purchase Equal Exchange products from CNFC, you are supporting a whole global supply chain of cooperative, democratic businesses. You’re supporting your very own community-focused consumer co-op here in Chico, the worker-owned Equal Exchange cooperative, and the producer-cooperatives that grow the food. Every step of the way, you are a part of a growing people-powered movement to give more power to consumers and workers.
It’s worth noting that, in addition to being a co-op selling cooperatively grown products, all of the Equal Exchange chocolate, tea, and coffee sold at CNFC is USDA-certified organic, so you can sip, steep, and snack without worrying that your fairly traded treat contains GMO ingredients. There’s nothing not to like!
All of the above reasons, and so many more, are why we are so proud to carry Equal Exchange products, and want to celebrate them this October. They embody and advance the ideals of the cooperative movement, the fair-trade movement, and even the non-GMO movement. So whether you’re starting your day with a cup of coffee, or winding down with a piece of chocolate, enjoy Equal Exchange from the Co-op!