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FROM EQUAL EXCHANGE, YOUR COFFEE ROASTER

At Equal Exchange, we’re often on the road. And sometimes that road is not paved, and it switchbacks up the precarious slopes of a coffee-studded mountain.

Much of our international travel is done by our Coffee Buying and Qual-ity teams. But we don’t stop there. We create time and opportunity for delegations to source, where our staff and sometimes our customers get to see the coffee chain – and Fair Trade impact – in action.

Whether our job is selling coffee at Equal Exchange, or running an inde-pendent café brewing up this coffee, we are each essential parts of this alternative supply chain. The expe-riences we have at source – from being hosted in a farmer’s home, to harvesting coffee for a day, to cup-ping at the dry mill – help us witness and understand each of the crucial pieces of the chain, from seed to cup.

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CO-OPS VISITED:• Comon Yaj Noptic• CESMACH• Finca Triunfo Verde

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR RECENT DELEGATION

CHIAPAS,MEXICO

On the complex process of growing quality coffee: “This experience made me appreciate and understand the rigorous efforts needed to produce quality, organic coffee. Also enlightening was the amount of labor involved and the commitment to conservation each farmer practiced. It made me realize as a retailer, we are the final stage in ensuring the farmers’ efforts are honored.”

On one of the memorable moments of the trip: “In one coffee farming community, they organized a town meeting to discuss the industry. I was really proud to be there with fellow café owners as the town showed us how much they appreciated our efforts to sell their coffee. By meeting with them in person, we demonstrated our commitment and were able to listen to their thoughts and ideas to keep improving the relationship.”

On how his customers are fueling positive change: “This trip really deepened my understanding of the importance of Fair Trade. For something many of us enjoy on a daily basis, it’s a great opportunity to contribute to the overall world in your own way.”

FROM TRIP PARTICIPANT: SHAWN NESBIT, owner of The Good Karma Cafe