Faith & Fair Trade

Since 1986, Equal Exchange has been building Fair Trade by partnering with small farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.  Around the world coffee and fellowship come together where we share community.  A warm pot of coffee is often the centerpiece of fellowship hour, celebrations and other gatherings.  As one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, coffee is a direct link between our community and farming communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Yet, the small farmers who grow our coffee often struggle just to make a simple living in some of the poorest countries in the world.  Cut off from markets, they are forced to accept low prices.  Without affordable credit, they become trapped in a cycle of debt.  Many lack access to adequate housing, healthcare, education or even running water and electricity.

In partnership with congregations, community groups, individuals of faith and faith-based organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, the American Friends Service Committee, Brethren Witness, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Equal Exchange is a bridge between these communities and our own.  By paying a fair price to the farmer, working with democratic cooperatives, offering affordable credit and supporting sustainable agriculture, we help these farmers build better lives.  By offering Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, and Hot Cocoa at coffee hour, in the office, or as part of a fundraiser, bazaar or buying club, your community can also make a difference, sharing fellowship with our global neighbors as we help them to help themselves.

Zion currently offers the following Fair Trade products.  You can purchase these products at church or through the Lutheran World Relief Website or any other website that offers Fair Trade products.

$6.00 - Organic Breakfast Blend Drip Grind and Whole Bean (Nicaragua Info).  A balanced blend of light and dark roasts, full-bodied with a rich flavor.  Fairly traded coffee from small farmer cooperatives in Nicaragua and Peru.

$6.00 - Organic French Roast Drip Grind and Whole Bean.  For those who favor the rich flavor of a dark roast coffee, our Organic French Roast is the coffee of choice.  Fairly traded coffee from small farmer co-ops in Latin America.

$6.00 - Decaf Organic Columbian Drip Grind (Columbia - Caldas Region Info).  A distinctive coffee from indigenous cooperatives in the Caidas region of Columbia.  Balanced, with light acidity.