Equal Exchange

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Equal Exchange is a worker cooperative based in the United States that specializes in fair trade products, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and other food items. Founded in 1986, Equal Exchange is one of the oldest and largest fair trade organizations in the country.

History

Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 by Rink Dickinson, Jonathan Rosenthal, and Michael Rozyne. The founders were inspired by the idea of creating a business that would promote social justice and economic sustainability by ensuring that small-scale farmers received fair prices for their products. The cooperative model was chosen to ensure that the organization would be democratically controlled by its workers.

Products

Equal Exchange offers a variety of fair trade products, including:

• Coffee: Sourced from small-scale farmers in countries such as Peru, Ethiopia, and Colombia.
• Tea: Includes a range of black, green, and herbal teas from countries like India and Sri Lanka.
• Chocolate: Made from cocoa sourced from small farmer cooperatives in countries like Ghana and Ecuador.
• Nuts and snacks: Includes almonds, cashews, and dried fruits.

Fair Trade Practices

Equal Exchange is committed to fair trade principles, which include:

• Paying fair prices to farmers
• Providing advance credit to farmers
• Promoting sustainable farming practices
• Building long-term trade partnerships
• Supporting cooperative development

Cooperative Structure

As a worker cooperative, Equal Exchange is owned and governed by its employees. Each worker-owner has an equal vote in major decisions, and profits are shared among the members. The cooperative structure is designed to ensure that the organization remains focused on its mission of promoting social and economic justice.

Impact

Equal Exchange has had a significant impact on the fair trade movement in the United States. By providing consumers with ethically sourced products, the organization has raised awareness about the importance of fair trade and has helped to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers around the world.

See Also

• Fair trade
• Worker cooperative
• Social justice
• Sustainable agriculture

Related Pages

• Fair trade
• Worker cooperative
• Social justice
• Sustainable agriculture
• Coffee
• Tea
• Chocolate