From an Equal Exchange release
For 30 years, faith communities across the country, including many in the Church of the Brethren fold, have used Equal Exchange fair trade products to support their fellowship hour, table sales, holiday bazaars, and more. In previous years, the former Brethren Witness/Washington Office was a denominational partner with Equal Exchange in an Interfaith Program that sponsored a fair trade Brethren Coffee Project.
Equal Exchange is celebrating its 40th anniversary and also the 30th anniversary of its Interfaith Program. Equal Exchange is a leader in the fair-trade movement and a worker-owned cooperative since 1986. It is offering a series of webinars to honor the impact of the Interfaith Program and build momentum for the future.
The webinars:
● Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time): “30 Years of Interfaith and Equal Exchange.” Learn how the Interfaith Program partnership is a powerful driver of Equal Exchange’s alternative trade network, bridging small farmer-grown products and households across the country. Join us as we look back at key milestones, partners, and the people who have made this important program what it is today! Register and find out more
● Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time): “Energize your Congregation this Fall.” Refresh or kick off your fair trade ministry with these tips and best practices for serving, selling, and educating your congregation on Equal Exchange products. This also will be an opportunity to tap into the Interfaith Program network of church coordinators from across the country and share experiences and ideas that support one another. Register and find out more
● Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. (Eastern time): “25 Years of Fair Trade at Ascension Lutheran.” Founded in 2001, Carol Bjelland’s program has grown and flourished into an incredible force for Fair Trade. What started as a simple idea has grown into a ministry that connects and engages the children, youth, and adults of Ascension Congregation and its School and Early Childhood Center. Come and be inspired! Register and find out more
Launched in 1996, the Interfaith Program has grown from a grassroots effort into a network of more than 10,000 congregations—including a strong presence in the Church of the Brethren—all united by a commitment to social justice and sustainable trade.
By using Equal Exchange fair trade coffee, tea, and other products for fellowship hours, table sales, and holiday bazaars, Interfaith Program partners help provide pre-harvest credit to small farmer cooperatives. In turn, these farmers rely on this financial stability to pursue ecologically sustainable farming practices, stay on their land, and build vibrant, strong communities.
“One of Equal Exchange’s greatest innovations is that we are an alternative trade organization connecting farmers and consumers directly—and it doesn’t get more direct than our Interfaith program,” said Rink Dickinson, Equal Exchange co-founder and president
Interfaith Program partners highlight how the simple act of choosing fairly traded products turns a mission statement into real-world, impactful action. For 30 years, whether large or small, these Interfaith Program efforts have been essential to helping Equal Exchange continue its work building long-term trade partnerships that are economically just, environmentally sound, and mutually beneficial for farmers and consumers.
Interested in becoming a part of the Equal Exchange network of supporters and energizing your fellowship hour, peace and justice committee, green sanctuary team, youth group, holiday gift bazaar, fundraiser, or to just want to learn more? Contact Susan Sklar at ssklar@equalexchange.coop or register for an upcoming webinar at www.info.equalexchange.coop/fall
About Equal Exchange
Founded in 1986, Equal Exchange is an employee-owned cooperative dedicated to authentic fair trade. Partnering with more than 40 small-farmer cooperatives around the world, Equal Exchange provides high-quality, sustainability-grown coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, dried nuts and fruits, olive oil, and more. For the last three decades, it has partnered with faith-based organizations across the country to energize their fair trade ministries.
— Tim Lane is marketing and web team generalist for Equal Exchange.
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