Category

Farmer Stories

An ox pulls a cart in a field of sugarcane

The Not-So-Sweet U.S. Sugar Policy

Sugar. It seems like such a simple thing. The essential ingredient we so often buy in the U.S. that ends up in something delicious…

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A Palestinian Olive Oil Story

We’re proud to offer fairly traded, organic olive oil grown by small-scale farmers in the West Bank. We believe this olive oil…

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Reflections on Fair Trade and Immigration

How do your fellow parishioners react when you propose fairly traded coffee for sale or fellowship hour? Do you get a yawn, or a pat…

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Co-op Spotlight: Fortaleza del Valle

We’re proud to work with Fortaleza del Valle, a 935-member cacao co-op in Calceta, Manabí, Ecuador. We use their distinctive and…

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Love Buzz Starts Here: Reflections on a Trip to Nicaragua

In January, fellow Equal Exchange co-owner Laurie Foote and I were on a plane bound for Nicaragua. We were part of an Equal Exchange…

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Pablo Mera, worker, harvesting bananas at the plantation of Vincente Matute, a member of El Guabo, a fair trade banana cooperative of Ecuador.

Why Do Banana Farmers Organize?

Last October we welcomed organic banana farmer Mariana Cobos to the Twin Cities to celebrate our 10 year anniversary importing bananas from AsoGuabo Cooperative in…

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Organic Chocolate vs. Conventional: What’s the Difference?

Chocolate is undeniably one of the most popular treats around, and one of the most widely available. But do you ever stop and think about…

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Two woman arm in arm in front of a stack of coffee bags.

The Inspiring Women of ASPROCAFE Ingruma

Women’s voices are a growing force within our supply chain, and we’re proud to honor them with our seasonal Women in Coffee…

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Solidarity In The Coffee Leaf Rust Crisis

It’s bad enough that small coffee farmers get peanuts for their beans, and face natural and human disasters like unusual hurricanes or gang violence…

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Organic Vs. Conventional Tea: What’s The Difference?

As conscientious consumers, many of us look for the “organic” label when shopping. While we know that organic products have certain benefits, the extent of…

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The Small Producer Symbol: What Does It Stand For?

In the last year, you may have noticed a new logo on the package of your coffee: the Small Producer Symbol. The SPP (the acronym…

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On Coffee Farmers And Thankfulness

Every year, small groups of Equal Exchange worker-owners journey to Nicaragua to meet small-scale coffee producers and to experience what it feels like…

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Cacao growers Ramon and Glenys with a cacao pod in the Dominican Republic.

Fun Facts & Fair Trade Recipes for Kids

Bring the story of small farmers to life with kid-friendly treats made with fairly traded ingredients. These special snacks can be the starting point…

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Infographic: Small Farmer Tea Vs. Conventionally Traded Tea

At Equal Exchange, we believe that “Fair Trade” means “small farmer,” and our relationships with tea growers reflect that. Our tea comes from democratically organized…

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Visiting A Primary Co-Op In Nicaragua

A conversation with Jose Alfredo Lovo Variegas, from a 2015 Equal Exchange delegation to Nicaragua. In Dipilto, Nicaragua, a small community sits nested in the…

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