Wednesday, May 7, 2025
4-5pm
online
Equal Exchange invites you to their Book Club Meet-ups: Apr 16 and May 7
Join us for an engaging discussion of the Grocery Barons chapter from Austin Frerick’s book Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry, where we will explore the impact of multinational corporations on the global coffee industry. In this session, we’ll dive into how these powerful “coffee barons” manipulate prices, exploit farmers, and perpetuate inequality within the coffee supply chain.
As an independent coffee company, Equal Exchange stands in stark contrast to these monopolistic systems. These chapters (Coffee Barons, Grocery Barons) align closely with our work as an independent food company and our mission to challenge monopolistic systems—particularly in the coffee industry. Together, we’ll reflect on the ways Frerick’s analysis of the coffee industry relates to our mission to create more equitable, sustainable, and fair trade practices. We’ll think through how Equal Exchange’s model—focused on direct relationships with farmers, cooperatives, and ethical sourcing—challenges these corporate giants and promotes a more just food system. This will be an opportunity for us to connect, learn, and discuss how we can continue to support positive change in the coffee industry. We look forward to your insights and hope to see you there!
To access the book without having to buy it (though purchasing is always an option too!), we recommend checking with your local public library. You can either borrow the book directly or use the Libby app, a free platform that lets you borrow digital books from your library. It's a great way to access the book at no cost.
If you're interested in joining the book club, register for the dates to discuss. If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this email. You can register for one or both of the dates.
