2008 Annual Report

It’s out,
it’s beautiful and
it’s easy to download as a pdf.
If you would like a printed copy please email
emiles@equalexchange.coop
And for the curious, all Equal Exchange Annual Reports from 2000-2008 are also available at our website.

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INTERdependance Day

Many in the US have  just celebrated Independence Day. Independence is a powerful word, and there is a strong American ethic around “rugged independence” and the values of the individual and self sufficiency.  While often noble, it’s not a good fit for global trade.
So Equal Exchange subscribes to a different ethos, “robust interdependence.”
If you invest [...]

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2009? Vortex of Doom; Or Not.

In 2008 the financial services industry spiraled into a vortex of doom. How are we doing?
Well so far, at Equal Exchange the seas have been much calmer. We closed 2008 with over $34 million in sales, up from $29 million in 2007, keeping our 23 year record of growth intact. We got a little nervous [...]

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I’m Just Saying

A $10,000 dollar investment in Equal Exchange 10 years ago would be worth around $16,400 today (assuming dividends were reinvested). A $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 or Dow? Somewhat less. Perhaps $9,000.
Maybe slow and steady really does win the race? Over 20 years I’d take that bet.
Actually, I already have made that bet, [...]

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Welcome to our new blog

This blog is dedicated to investment in Fair Trade and cooperatives and to the investment community of Equal Exchange in particular. We hope to get to know each better other and explore together how we can advance our common wealth.
Business as usual is destroying our planet, so need some unusual businesses. At Equal Exchange we [...]

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Coffee Cupping – breaking the crust

Two weeks ago, we did a coffee cupping at the offices of our friends and investors Trillium Asset Management. I joined Alistair, and Beth Ann and Mike from our Quality Control team, for a two-hour tasting.
Thinking about coffee cupping with Brokers and Bankers, I didn’t expect everything to be very relaxed and open. Yet beginning [...]

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A Social Capitalist Award – for us

Back in April, I went to Washington, D.C., to collect a Social Capitalist Award presented by Fast Company. There were 10 for-profit companies and 35 non-profits that met the Award’s criteria: check them out. Two of our financial friends, Calvert Foundation and Root Capital, were also winners.
The Award has been around for five years, but [...]

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Our CD, loved by farmers and bankers alike

So it’s oldish news, but this is a new blog, so below are a few links to articles about our innovative Equal Exchange CD (certificate of deposit). Offered through Wainwright bank, it’s a simple direct way to invest $1,000 or more in Equal Exchange and Fair Trade, and receive a competitive rate of interest. Farmers [...]

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