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| Nicaraguan coffee farmers demonstrate
the wet "de-pulping" process of coffee production at Miraflor, a cooperative that sells to the fair trade market. |
As part of the UUSC Coffee Project, four Unitarian Universalist activists accompanied UUSC staff, representatives of the fair trade company Equal Exchange and representatives from other faith communities in February 2003 for an eight-day visit to coffee cooperatives. The UUSC activists who participated were able to witness the importance of fair trade and its human rights implications.
Coffee is the second most heavily traded commodity in the world, after oil, and it is a critical component of the economic well being of small coffee farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. A severe coffee crisis in Central America in which coffee prices have dropped to historic lows has forced many small farmers to go into debt and lose their farms. Many are unable to provide for their families' basic needs such as food, clothing, medicine or education.
Delegation members discovered that the crisis had hit home in Central America's coffee producing regions as it has in other regions of the world, but that fair trade is making a big difference in the lives of many. Fair trade guarantees the small farmers a fair price for their products, ends the cycle of debt, and enables farmers to provide for the basic needs of their families. It also promotes sustainable coffee growing environments through an additional premium for organic products.
Al Benford, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Manchester, CT, said, “We saw how receiving a “fair price for their coffee enabled these [fair trade] cooperatives to flourish. They created their own quality control lab, staffed by a young man described as a ‘product of their youth movement.' They were diversifying their crops,” he explained.
“They were able to educate their children…[and] they were making preparation for hosting eco-tourists as a way of making their community less dependent on agriculture. They were well organized, enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of their community and their families.”
In contrast, explained Mr. Benford, when they met coffee growers who were not involved in fair trade, “there was a completely different atmosphere. Much deeper and more pervasive poverty was evident, and these farmers did not appear to have much hope for even their immediate future.”
The UUSC Coffee Project
The UUSC Coffee Project is a partnership between UUSC and Equal
Exchange, a 100 percent fair trade organization. The UUSC Coffee Project has
involved over 350 churches from across the country to date, or 35 percent of
all UU congregations in the United States.
Through the UUSC Coffee Project, congregations enjoy great coffee, tea and cocoa while helping small farmers earn a fair price for their products, have access to affordable credit, and gain a long-term trading partner they can trust, Equal Exchange. In addition, for every case of coffee, tea or cocoa purchased through the project, Equal Exchange makes a contribution to support UUSC's human rights initiatives in coffee-growing regions. The UUSC Coffee Project shows how we can work together for human rights and the positive effects that our consumer choices can bring to small farmers around the world.
Please contact Equal Exchange at 774.776.7400, for information about ordering fair trade coffee, tea and cocoa, or visit their online store at http://store.yahoo.com/equalexchange. You can also contact the UUSC Coffee Project with any questions at 800.388.3920.
When you order from Equal Exchange, don't forget to request a poster promoting the UUSC Coffee Project which you can display where you serve or sell the fair trade products at your congregation.
For more ways to support fair trade and the UUSC Coffee Project visit
In addition to purchasing Equal Exchange coffee, tea and cocoa for your church fellowship hour, and use in the home or office, there are many other ways to promote fair trade and human rights and improve the lives of small farmers and their families.
EDUCATE, ORGANIZE AND ADVOCATE!
1. Involve your church youth group by educating the youth about the issues and encouraging their participation in this project, possibly using it as a fund-raising tool for their activities. A short play is available from Equal Exchange, as well as a fund-raising idea sheet.
2. Offer fair trade coffees, teas and cocoa at a community event, farmers' market, or church or youth fundraiser, and sell it during church auctions or other events. Congregations can purchase coffee, tea and cocoa at wholesale prices to offer at community events or holiday bazaars to raise funds for UUSC programs, congregational projects or youth programs, such as social justice initiatives.
3. Talk to other places of worship and organizations in your town or region about the project, and urge them to buy fair trade coffee, tea and cocoa. Equal Exchange's Interfaith Program also has partnerships with the Lutheran, Brethren, Presbyterian, Quaker and United Methodist Churches and can provide you with materials to pass on to other congregations in your community.
4. Encourage local grocery stores, supermarkets and cafés to sell fair trade coffee and other products. Equal Exchange works with cafés, natural food stores, groceries and supermarkets across the United States. Contact Equal Exchange for educational pamphlets and other materials to share with local businesses.
5. Pass a church board resolution to buy only fair trade coffee and tea for all church functions. Equal Exchange can provide a sample resolution.
6. Host an educational event at your church about the difference fair trade makes in the lives of small farmers with assistance from UUSC. Materials available include a video on fair trade coffee production, a slide show, and a sample press release. A speaker can also be requested.
7. Encourage other congregation members to purchase the coffee and tea for home and office use, and to share it with relatives.
8. Check out www.uusc.org/info/coffeeproject.html for updated information on the project.