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Coffee Project
 Supporting fair wages and fair trade--One cup of coffee at a time.
Around the world, coffee and fellowship come together where we share community. A warm pot of coffee is often the centerpiece of fellowship hour and other gatherings. As one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, coffee is a direct link between our community and farming communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Yet the small farmers who grow our coffee often struggle just to make a simple living. Most live in rural communities in some of the poorest countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Isolated from markets, they are forced to accept low prices. Without affordable credit, they become trapped in a cycle of debt. Many lack access to adequate housing, healthcare and education. But there is an alternative: Fair Trade. In May 2004, St. Andrew's joined Equal Exchange’s “Interfaith Coffee Program”. In partnership with congregations and faith-based organizations, Equal Exchange’s Interfaith Program is a bridge between these communities and our own. 
EQUAL EXCHANGE is a fair trade organization founded in 1986 committed to always paying a fair price to the farmer, including a guaranteed minimum when market prices are low; to working directly with democratically run farming cooperatives so that the benefits of trade actually reach the farmers and their communities, to providing vital advanced credit to farmers, and to encouraging ecologically sustainable farming practices.
Fair Trade is consistent with CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING. The easiest way for us as individuals, and as a parish to support Fair Trade is to purchase fairly traded products. When you choose Equal Exchange, you are not only getting a great cup of coffee, you are also helping small farmers build a better future for themselves and their families. 
The Social Justice Ministry uses a portion of the sale proceeds of Equal Exchange products as a fundraiser to support other social justice activities at St. Andrew’s such as the annual letter writing campaign for Bread for the World advocating for policies that help poor and hungry people. How Can I Buy Coffee?
Coffee is sold one Sunday a month after every mass. You can also print an order form, fill it out, and drop off your coffee order through the mail slot at the parish house. Please include a check with your order. The check should be made payable to: St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. Your coffee order will be filled within 2-3 days of receipt. A volunteer will call or email you when your order is ready for pick-up.
Please contact us at
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