Your organization can be a part of the Fair Trade solution by selling fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, and cocoa as a fundraiser.

Our church is participating in the UCC Coffee Project (a collaboration between Equal Exchange and the UCC) whereby our Social Action team arranges the purchase of coffee, tea, chocolate, and cocoa at near-wholesale prices (if you order four or more cases, shipping is free) and sell it on Sundays. We put a slight markup on each item and that little bit of profit goes into our general fund. Lest it seem like this is a marginal thing, let me share that our little bitty congregation bought over a $1000 of fair trade products from July to December of last year.

Although there are many churches that have interfaith collaborations with Equal Exchange (Lutheran, Catholic, Unitarian, Methodist, Quaker, Church of the Bretheren, and so on) you don't have to be a church to participate. They market fundraisers to school groups and other organizations, too. (Do note: Chocolate is not available for fundraising in the summer, since it will melt during shipment if the temperature is over 75F degrees.)

There are several companies besides Equal Exchange that your organization coordinate fundraisers with. Yachana Gourmet, Global Exchange, and Just Coffee to name a few.

Happy Valentine's Day!
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Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing "Embraceable You" in spats.

-- Woody Allen