Rodney North 339-502-6060 Equal Exchange - dedicated to fair trade

EQUAL EXCHANGE INTRODUCES FIRST HOT COCOA WITH FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED LABEL

Organic Gourmet Mix Offers Consumers Socially Responsible Option

CANTON, MA August 29th, 2002—Equal Exchange, the nation's leading fair trade coffee company, today introduces America's first hot cocoa mix to carry the fair trade certified label. The label guarantees consumers that the cocoa was produced and sourced in a socially responsible manner. . . .

In addition to being fair trade certified, Equal Exchange's organic cocoa is cultivated on small plots under a shade canopy that preserves critical elements of the native Dominican forests. Biologists have determined that this gentle, chemical free method of farming helps to maintain bio-diversity and protect the winter habitat of millions of migratory songbirds. "One of the easiest ways consumers can help to sustain tropical eco-systems is to look for organic and shade-grown products. The small farmers, the birds, and the land all benefit." - Nature Conservancy biologist Jeffrey Parrish, Ph.D. The mix's other key ingredients are also sourced in a responsible manner. The organic dried milk powder is provided by Organic Valley, a fast-growing American cooperative of family farms who produce their own brand of organic dairy products, meat, and orange juice.

The sugar is also certified organic and is fairly traded from Paraguay. Equal Exchange is currently rolling out this product to select supermarkets, natural food stores, and consumer cooperatives across the country. It is already available directly from Equal Exchange and via mail order. The cocoa should be available at 200-300 stores within the next 12 months. More information is available at http://www.equalexchange.com/PR/pressrel/cocoafaq.htm