IRTF board members traveled to Massachusetts in June when Equal Exchange, an alternative trade organization (ATO), hosted its eighth annual Summit. This year, the energy was palpable and the room was full! It was a powerful reminder that we are at a turning point in our mission to build a truly democratic brand and foster meaningful participation in our food system.
These gatherings are core to the work we are doing with the People-Consumer community here at Equal Exchange. In a world where democracy is under threat, our work is more important now than ever before. Equal Exchange extends a special thanks to all the presenters and to the keynote speaker, Austin Frerick. Austin is the author of the book Barons: Money, Power & Corruption of America’s Food Industry. Consolidation of power in our food system threatens the future of independent food and has been a cornerstone topic in our organizing work. Austin’s book and keynote grounded the group and set us up for more in-depth conversations with all of our amazing presenters.
Sessions covered a gamut of topics, from Equal Exchange’s alternative capital and governance model to our work with farmers and consumers.