Small Farmers. Big Change.

Amidst all the challenges facing us these days and our collective efforts to keep forging ahead, it’s also important to take time for community and celebration…

 Rob Everts and Virginia Berman of Equal Exchange join Willy Foote of Root Capital in serenading members of both organizations at their joint holiday party at the office of Equal Exchange in late December 2009. For many years, Root Capital has played a key role in pre-financing Fair Trade coffee contracts Equal Exchange has with its farmer co-operative partners.

Music of many traditions has long told stories of heartbreak and tragedy and perhaps less often of joy. “Mis Razones” describes the sheer joy of singing while “Pobre La Maria” recounts the all-too-familiar story of a poor young woman from the countryside seeking a better life in the city. This year, the Equal Exchange-Root Capital collaboration extended beyond mission and finance to celebration and music.

Click here for to hear the music!  Enjoy!