The UUSC Coffee Project

A fair trade coffee program for your group or congregation

The UUSC Coffee Project is an innovative way for your group or congregation to reach out to communities in the coffee-growing world. The UUSC Coffee Project was launched in June of 2001, just as world coffee market prices were beginning to collapse. Years later, the coffee crisis continues as prices remain at their lowest point in decades, devastating farming communities across Latin America, Africa and Asia.

There are many ways that your community can become involved in the UUSC Coffee Project. Within your congregation there are committees, such as Social Justice or the youth network, that might sponsor the project. Then, as your congregation enjoys this delicious coffee, members and visitors alike can take time to learn more about its impact on the people who grow it.

» Read about more action steps to promote fair trade

About 500 congregations — nearly 50 percent of all UU congregations — are now participating, offering hope to small farmers at a critical time! For more information, or assistance in participating in the UUSC Coffee Project, contact UUSC's Programs department at 617-868-6600 or 800-388-3920 or use this e-mail contact form.

The UUSC Coffee Project partners UUSC with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned fair trade organization founded in 1986. Buying coffee, tea and cocoa directly from farmer cooperatives, Equal Exchange follows the standards and principles of fair trade on 100 percent of its products, ensuring that low-income farmers earn a fair price for their products. In 2001 alone, Equal Exchange paid farmers almost $1 million above what they would have earned under conventional trade practices. This allows farmers to better meet their families' basic needs, such as food, education, and health care.

Buy fair trade goods from Equal Exchange now!

Order online: individual purchase or bulk purchase for your group or congregation. To mail or fax your order for your group or congregations, please use the downloadable "Fair Trade Products Order Form" linked below.