The AFSC COFFEE PROJECT offers an innovative link between your Friends Meeting, congregation or organization and farming communities in the developing world. As Friends we can address a consumer dilemma by buying fairly traded products such as coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate. Through the project, farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia earn a fairer share of income, have access to services that are otherwise unavailable, and gain a trading partner they can trust, a Fair Trade organization called Equal Exchange. At the same time, Friends Meetings enjoy fellowship and learn more about the world, its economy and our part in it.
This project links lifestyle and the Meeting with the world."
As a community, become involved in the AFSC Coffee Project. Peace and Social Concerns Committees, Young Friends, Hospitality or other committees might sponsor the project. Then, as your Meeting or congregation enjoys this high-quality coffee, take time to learn more about its impact on the people who grow it. Read about coffee farmers and the ways in which AFSC is helping them. Learn more about AFSC's programs for economic justice for these communities. Discuss issues of social justice in the global marketplace and take action in the spirit of love.
For many years AFSC has supported farmer cooperatives in Central America and the rights of Central Americans living in the US. The AFSC Coffee Project is a way for your meeting or congregation to participate more fully in this work.
The AFSC Coffee Project is sponsored by AFSC's New England Regional Office, 2161 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. Phone:617-661-6130. Website: http://www.afsc.org/newengland.
Join our Interfaith partners who support Authentic Fair Trade.
How to Order
ON THE WEB:
The easiest way to order for your congregation, office or organization is on the web at the Equal Exchange Web Store.
BY MAIL OR FAX:
Download an order form for the American Friends Service Committee Coffee Project (in pdf format).
To receive an order form by mail for the AFSC Coffee Project, e-mail your address to us at communityorders@equalexchange.coop.
QUESTIONS:
Please e-mail communityorders@equalexchange.coop, call 774-776-7366, or write to us.
What You Can Do
- Serve fairly traded coffee, tea and cocoa at Meeting, events and during fellowship time, and make it available to members for use at home.
- Offer gift baskets of fairly traded products for new members, holiday presents, or other occasions.
- Create fundraising projects offering fairly traded coffee, tea, cocoa or chocolate. Share the proceeds with New England's Salvadoran and Guatemalan communities by donating the proceeds to AFSC's Latin America Action Program or other causes.
- Spread the word about Fair Trade in adult forums, with youth and other groups. Provide local businesses with information about offering fairly traded coffee from Equal Exchange.
- Invite AFSC's Latin America Program Staff to your Meeting or Church. Program staff are available as a resource and to speak with your Meeting on Latin American and immigration issues. For more information, call the number below.
- Order additional resources by calling the New England AFSC office at 617-661-6130. Copies of a brochure, coffee project promotional material and more information about AFSC's work are also available for your use.