Equal Exchange Blog ... "Co-ops face the pandemic together. You're a part of this network!"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.

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Co-ops face the pandemic together. You're a part of this network!

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Happy Co-op Month! If you’ve been following Equal Exchange for a while, you probably know we’re an independent cooperative. All worker-owners have an equal share and an equal vote in our business. And we purchase coffee, tea, cacao, sugar, and other foods directly from democratically organized producer groups. It’s important to us that farmers, too, get a decision-making stake in their co-ops. At a time like this, when the coronavirus pandemic challenges people all over the world, it’s more clear than ever that cooperatives work for their members. Our connections make us responsive and resilient.

In the last six months, we’ve heard many stories from our partners about how they’ve taken care of one another. From Ecuador to Togo to Sri Lanka, co-op members are looking out for their communities. They’ve shared information about how to stop the spread of COVID-19 with far-flung, rural farmers, and set up protocols to keep everyone safe at processing stations. They’ve distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to local medical workers. They’ve used fair trade premium payments to purchase emergency food kits for families.

Farmer partners from the San Fernando co-op, located in the remote Inkawasi district in the Peruvian Andes, load a truck with home-grown produce to be delivered to family members sheltering in place in the city during the pandemic.

Farmers’ ability to sell their crop at a fair price is more important than ever during a global crisis. Equal Exchange’s long-term relationships with partners enabled us to expedite our purchasing procedures and get shipments of coffee on their way before ports closed. We’ve switched to digital logistics, so that farmer groups can get paid more quickly. And we continue to share our partners’ stories with supporters like you. Co-op supply chains show that trading that’s based on respectful, long-term relationships and good environmental and social values is not just philosophically sound -- it also helps create stable businesses and communities. By choosing to buy Equal Exchange products and getting involved with our work, you’ve part of our network, too.

Consolidation in the U.S. food system was already a problem, but the devastation of COVID-19 has accelerated the already-growing trend. A few huge conglomerates are thriving, yet many independent businesses -- including co-ops -- are struggling financially, and some have had to shut their doors forever. It’s time to stand together and build a food system that works for all of us. Join our growing community of Citizen-Consumers who are working to change the food system, together. And celebrate the last days of Co-op Month by enjoying a five-pound bag of Organic Mind, Body and Soul coffee, a 12-pack of Organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate Bars (80% Cacao), or your fair trade favorite. You'll be putting your food dollars to work in the co-op economy!

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