Organic Oromian Coffee

To the worker-owners of Equal Exchange cooperative,


We, the undersigned, are requesting that you change the name of your "Organic Ethiopian" to "Organic Oromian" including the attached map detailing the regions of Oromia on your marketing materials.

Oromia, while not an actual country, has defined regions and is recognized by the United Nations Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations.  The Oromo people make up a significant percentage of Ethiopia's population. A majority of the country's agricultural exports (primarily coffee) and other natural resources are located within the regions that make up Oromia. Kafa and Limmu, both located within Oromia, are considered to be the places where coffee originated. The Oromo people also have a rich cultural, political and social system called the Gadaa system. This long-standing tradition is rooted in principles of democracy and equality; values which are also the foundations of fair trade.


Due to the colonization of Oromia over 100 years ago, the nation and its people have been silenced, disempowered, and dehumanized, resulting in misinformation about the Oromo people. Also, the free market economy has only exaggerated the land ownership and poverty issues affecting this primarily agrarian society. Even though the struggle goes on for representation and a free Oromia, the culture, language and history of Oromo people continue to be forgotten and largely unnoticed by the general public. We can begin to reverse these negative trends, with the help of Equal Exchange.


While the fair trade practices of Equal Exchange have made great economic impacts on the lives of Oromo farmers, there is more we can do to help. "Ethiopian coffee" is produced by Oromo farmers. So, changing the name of your coffee would help consumers gain a deeper understanding of the people who grow their coffee. Also, by giving an identity to Oromia, you will be giving a voice and dignity back to the farmers of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU). Because Equal Exchange has been a leader in the fair trade movement for over 20 years, the name change also has the potential to introduce the ideas of cooperatives, sustainable agriculture and fair trade relationships to the vast Oromo and East African community within Minnesota, and the United States in general.


Through your leadership in this endeavor you will be acting in solidarity with the farmers of OCFCU and over 15,000 Oromo citizens in Minnesota alone. Changing the name of your coffee has the potential to educate the public about Oromia and the Oromo community, and perhaps change the way other coffee companies label their product.


We thank you for your time and consideration on this matter, 

YES...WE DID IT! Thank you to Everyone who supported the Organic Oromian Coffee petition. Also A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Equal Exchange for hearing the outcry of the Oromo People. To read more about the name change and petition please visit:

http://www.wedge.coop/grocery/grocery-organic-oromian.html

Remember, this was just the first step. The bigger goal is to support
the Farmers and we can do this by purchasing Fair Trade products such as Organic Oromian Coffee (see below for a list of stores)! The more we purchase, the more companies like Equal Exchange will buy from the cooperatives that the farmers belong to, and the more we can support democracy, farmer empowerment, and fairness - in Oromia as well as other regions around the world.

Thanks for being the change you want to see in the world!

For those in the Twin Cities:

Organic Oromian Celebration
Sunday March 9th
from 12 - 3pm
Casablanca Restaurant
2630 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
There will be a showing of the documentary "Black Gold" with
discussion and socializing to follow. Appetizers and Oromian coffee
will be provided.

PS: The bulk bin cards in the stores will change on Friday, February
1st, 2008, stickers on the packaged coffee will follow within the
year. Changes will begin in Coops around the Twin Cities, and as
demand increases we can convince other companies and co-ops around the country to consider the change. It is up to each and every one of us to make sure this effort succeeds.

Places carrying the Organic Oromian Coffee in the Twin Cities:

The Wedge Coop (also available at the juice bar)
2105 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Website: http://www.wedge.coop/

Eastside Co-op
2551 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis
Website: http://www.eastsidefood.coop/

Linden Hills Co-op
2813 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis
Website: http://www.lindenhills.coop/

Seward Co-op
2111 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
Webiste: http://www.seward.coop/

Lakewinds (soon in bulk, served in the deli)
17501 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka
Website: http://www.lakewinds.com/

Lakewinds (bulk and served in the deli)
435 Pond Promenade, Chanhassen
Website: http://www.lakewinds.com/

Valley Natural Foods
13750 Co. Rd. 11, Burnsville
Website: http://www.valleynaturalfoods.coop/

Casablanca Restaurant
2630 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
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