Do you drink coffee? Yes? Awesome! No? Well, you’re just weird don’t go anywhere because this is still fun for you, too. I promise! If you know anything about me, you know that I love coffee. You know that I drink it every day and consider “her” one of my best pals ever. Up until about 2 years ago, I wasn’t really picky about what I drank for coffee. I just looked for the best deal at the grocery store that also tasted good. Then I learned about two little words/phrases: organic and fair trade. Well, that’s not really true. I knew about those words, but I didn’t really value them, until they became a priority for me, until they mattered to me. Organic is a word I am sure you are all familiar with, but fair trade may be something you have heard of, but always wondered, “what the heck is that!” Here is a wonderful breakdown of the term fair trade for you to read on the Equal Exchange website. There is so much great information there, you really have to check it out. Fair trade is important when buying products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate. (all items I love to buy for my family). The one I buy the most often is coffee and I always make sure it’s organic and fairly traded.
My favorite brand for that is Equal Exchange. I love them as a company and I love the price of their coffee. Now, don’t ask me, “well, isn’t that way more expensive than buying ‘regular’ coffee?” It definitely is, but for me, I feel good with every sip gulp of my coffee, so there is no comparison. Plus, think about this: I brew that coffee myself at home. How many times do you go to the coffee shop in a week? How much do you spend without even blinking an eye? I say that not to be confrontational, but instead because when we really think about all the little ways we spend money, we might realize, “wow” and think of different ways to save. Oh, did you just push my soapbox out from underneath me? So rude. Well, then. Fine! I will just tell you more about why I love Equal Exchange and why you should too! From their site:
Alternative/Fair Trade:
We…
•helped introduce Fair Trade coffee (the first type of Fair Trade food or beverage in the U.S.) to U.S. grocery stores in the mid-1980s.
•in the mid-‘90s, we were, we believe, the first U.S. coffee importer to provide comprehensive Fair Trade pre-shipment financing for coffee grower partners.
•were the first U.S. company to use Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa as an ingredient (2002).
•were the first U.S. company to offer Fair Trade Certified™ sugar as a stand-alone product in the U.S. (2004).
•Helped create a domestic model for Fair Trade that would benefit U.S. family farmers and farm workers; created three domestic Fair Trade supply chains; brought three domestic Fair Trade products to the market; and have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Red Tomato organization and the Local Fair Trade Network.
•are a co-owner (minority stake) of Oké USA, the only 100% Fair Trade fruit company in the country.
•supported raising the Fair Trade price for coffee farmers in 2007.
•are bringing Fair Trade to schools, through fundraising and the new Win Win Solutions curriculum for grades 4 through 9.
(there is so much on the Equal Exchange site – please check it out)
Now, can you see why I love to buy their coffee and support their company and essentially the farmers, too? Here’s the exciting part!! A GIVEAWAY!!! The awesome folks at Equal Exchange want one of you ( my most fabulous readers) to win a $25.00 dollar gift certificate to spend however you would like at their online store!! That means you can buy anything from coffee to chocolate bars. Note: A Paypal account is required for redemption of the prize
How about a few ways to enter, you know, for fun?!
- Become a fan (or the new way is to “like”) Equal Exchange on Facebook. Come back here and leave me a comment telling me that you did this.
- Become a fan, er, “like” Let’s Be Green Together on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment telling me how awesome I am that you did this.
- Follow me on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter id.
- Follow Equal Exchange on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter id.
- Go to the Equal Exchange store and come back and leave me a comment telling me what you would buy if you won the gift certificate.
- Share this giveaway with ALL of your friends and leave me links to where you did this!
Okay, that should keep you busy…..for a few minutes. Very important: you must include your email address in at least one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. If I don’t have it, I can’t contact you, simple as that.
Giveaway will end on April 29, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. and I will choose a winner with random.org.
*Disclosure*- Equal Exchange is sponsoring this giveaway with the gift certificate, but I did not receive any compensation for writing the review.
I would to try some hot cocoa and tea!
Now following @Ashley_at_EqEx
-kelly (@kblogger)
If I win…
I'd try the Organic Ethiopian coffee. And the Panama extra dark chocolate bar. Yummmo.
Liked http://www.letsbegreentogether.com on facebook!
I've "liked" equal exchange on facebook (kelly kblogger).
Liked letsbegreentogether on facebook (my last comment didn't go through, so feel free to delete if you get two).
I follow you! @smilinggreenmom
Am following them on Twitter! @smilinggreenmom
I "Like'd" Equal Exchange! Find me here: https://www.facebook.com/BeebAshcroft
What an awesome giveaway – coffee & choc are my favorite things, and fair trade is really important to me. Thanks for the chance!
I am now a fan, er, "Like-r" of your site on FB! Find me here: https://www.facebook.com/BeebAshcroft
Fanned, liked (whatever the kids are calling it these days) on Facebook
Liked YOU on facebook
Already follow you on Twitter (@slpowell)
I follow you on Twitter! Find me @hardertobreathe 🙂
Followed Equal exchange on Twitter
I follow Equal Exchange on Twitter – find me @hardertobreathe !
If I won, I think I would get the Organic Breakfast Blend – yum!!
I think the first thing I'd try is the dark chocolate with almonds. YUM!!
I shared this with all of my Twitter friends here: https://twitter.com/hardertobreathe/statuses/13082534374
Just became a fan of Equal Exchange on FB.
less.sweet@gmail.com
And became a fan of this blog on FB.
Following Equal Exchange on Twitter (@less_sweet)
Already follow you on Twitter! (@less_sweet)
tweeting & following as @textiff
Love, love Equal Exchange's chocolate! I would use the gift certificate on their chocolate – probably splurging on their Extra Dark and Very Dark Chocolate.
Became a Fan ("liked") Equal Exchange on Facebook!
ashleyreynolds1 at hotmail dot com
I would buy the mixes chocolate box for my mom for Mother's Day! She would kill for supporting her "habit", but hey, it's HER day!
ashleyreynolds1 at hotmail dot com
I "like" Equal on FB 🙂
tigpooh1516"at"yahoo"dot"com
I am a fan of your blog on FB…er I mean I "like it..
tigpooh1516"at"yahoo"dot"com
I am following you on Twitter
@tigpooh1516
tigpooh1516"at"yahoo"dot"com
I am following Equal on Twitter
tigpooh1516"at"yahoo"dot"com
I would love to try the orange dark chocolate! Yum!!
tigpooh1516"at"yahoo"dot"com
I want to get the Very Dark Chocolate Box.
monkeytime1(at)gmail(dot)com
Congrats Kelly!! random.org chose numer 7 and that's you!!
I'm so sad that I missed this one- I love their coffees!! I'm having a giveaway coming up probably this weekend- so be sure to check back on my blog!!