On behalf of our co-op Board of Directors, I would like to introduce Kokua's new General Manager, Lynette Larson. You may have seen or met her over the past month as she started in her position on January 1st. Our Board of Directors conducted an extensive search advertising both locally and nationally, both outside and within the co-op world. We are very excited to begin a new era under Lynette's leadership. She is a dynamic and tireless leader who brings wonderful skills and energy to our co-op. Please welcome Lynette if you have a chance the next time you are in the store or at our annual meeting.

Introducing Equal Exchange

Don’t worry, your Kokua favorites – Gayo Mountain, Goat Rock Roast and Kona Rose are staying.  And, our special order program is always available.  But, we have found a fellow coffee co-operative whose values very closely align with those of Kokua, it’s Owners and our Customers.

Who is Equal Exchange?

Equal Exchange is a worker-owned co-operative founded in 1986 in West Bridgewater, Mass.   “Our mission was to challenge the prevailing model of trade in the coffee industry and build an alternative.  Our goal is to bring the coffee farmer and the coffee grower as close together as possible.  Building those relationships gives us unparalleled control over the quality of the coffee and of the relationship that connects the coffee-drinker with the farmer. As the proponent of Fair Trade, we’re always trying to get more of the coffee dollar to the farmers, not scale up so that we have the leverage to pay them less”, states Co-President, Rob Everts.

Similar to the values of the Kokua co-operative, the founders envisioned a “social change organization” that would:

• Help farmers and their families gain more control over their economic futures
• Educate consumers about trade issues affecting farmers
• Provide high quality foods that would nourish the body and the soul
• Be controlled by the people who did the actual work
• Become a community of dedicated individuals who believed that honesty, respect and mutual benefit are integral to any worthwhile endeavor.

If you would like to read more visit Equal Exchange’s website:

www.equalexchange.coop

Please join us in welcoming Equal Exchange by participating in our Coffee Extravaganza…