Last year, The Butterfield Library in Cold Spring, NY decided to offer coffee as one of the services to their patrons. As the idea caught on and word began to spread throughout the small community, local shopkeeper Cecilia Dinio-Durkin made a suggestion. As the owner of Women’s Work, a store featuring Fair Trade products, Dinio-Durkin sells coffee from Equal Exchange, a worker-owned co-operative that trades directly with democratically organized small farmer co-operatives around the world. She gave the Library the contact information for the company with the idea that if the Library decides to serve the coffee, they could have a sign directing patrons to her shop to purchase the coffee for themselves. She, in turn, would direct shoppers who possibly wanted to sample before purchasing to the Library in the hope that they might also become Library patrons.
After researching and comparing costs, the Library staff decided to use Equal Exchange--especially after they threw in bio-degradable cups at no additional cost.
Today, the Library is filled with the aroma of “Love Buzz,” a robust organic blend that is loved by staff and patrons alike. Dinio-Durkin reports that a number of people have come to her shop to buy the coffee after drinking it at the Library.
All together, this community connection has benefits that are far reaching; from the environment to small communities and farmers around the world. But most importantly, the local business, Women's Work and the Butterfield Memorial Library have created a setting and partnership that the entire community of Cold Spring is able to enjoy.
Click here for more information about Fair Trade Products & Equal Exchange
After researching and comparing costs, the Library staff decided to use Equal Exchange--especially after they threw in bio-degradable cups at no additional cost.
Today, the Library is filled with the aroma of “Love Buzz,” a robust organic blend that is loved by staff and patrons alike. Dinio-Durkin reports that a number of people have come to her shop to buy the coffee after drinking it at the Library.
All together, this community connection has benefits that are far reaching; from the environment to small communities and farmers around the world. But most importantly, the local business, Women's Work and the Butterfield Memorial Library have created a setting and partnership that the entire community of Cold Spring is able to enjoy.
Click here for more information about Fair Trade Products & Equal Exchange
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