Equal Exchange was born out of a vision to build honest and transparent supply chains that value farmers and their voices. In 1986, the three founders—Rink Dickinson, Jonathan Rosenthal, and Michael Rozyne—were working at a cooperatively owned natural foods distributor and started wondering how they could connect consumers with farmers abroad.

“Once they learned about the rise of fair trade coffee and other foods in Europe, they began planning Equal Exchange,” said Jessie Myszka, national sales manager of fresh produce for the West Bridgewater, Massachusetts-based company. 

Jessie Myszka, National Sales Manager, Equal Exchange 

In the mid-’90s, Rozyne branched out into regional fresh produce work with his organization, Red Tomato. By 2006, Equal Exchange collaborated with Red Tomato and a European alternative trade organization to start importing bananas into the US. 

“Equal Exchange chose to dive into produce because most imported produce comes from places where the growers have been cut out of access to market, money, and influence for generations,” Myszka said.  

Equal Exchange has developed a niche market within organic produce, offering customers an ethical, high-quality option and providing both written and visual information about the co-ops and associations growing its fruit.

“Dedicated organic enthusiasts want to know that even though corporate organic exists now, it doesn’t have to be the only option,” Myszka said. “We occupy a unique space where we advocate to retailers and shoppers for farmers, and we also communicate to farmers on behalf of retailers and shoppers. We bring the supply chain together either in person or virtually and prioritize transparency, even if unconventional.” 

“Equal Exchange chose to dive into produce because most imported produce comes from places where the growers have been cut out of access to market, money, and influence for generations." - Jessie Myszka

Equal Exchange’s avocados just launched in Canada, where they are currently being distributed in the eastern part of the country by Canadawide. 

The cooperative's avocados are also now available in a ReadyCycle package, which is both recyclable and compostable.

Recently, Equal Exchange created the new role of national sales manager to help strengthen bonds with its existing suppliers and their retailers and to expand distribution into new regions that don’t yet have access to fair trade bananas and avocados. Myszka, a co-owner at Equal Exchange since 1996, who has led various teams in both sales and operations, now holds that position.  

She said things have been hopping at the company as demand continues to skyrocket.  

“Regularly, shoppers contact us to ask where they can buy either our bananas or avocados,” Myszka said. “Strong support from our current US distributors means that they are out there promoting our program to new retailers and collaborating with us to launch at new stores within their regions.” 

She added that shoppers in regions not traditionally known for natural foods are asking for fair trade bananas and avocados—and specifically for Equal Exchange bananas and avocados. 

“This gives us hope about the growth of authentic fair trade and affirms that consumers are paying attention and expressing their values,” Myszka said.  

Equal Exchange's philosophy revolves around democratic control with small-scale farmer organizations exporting to its worker-owned food company. 

“Regularly, shoppers contact us to ask where they can buy either our bananas or avocados.” - Jessie Myszka

As part of its commitment, Equal Exchange has been continuing to prioritize its connection with growers. For instance, it hosted the co-founder of one of its banana suppliers, AsoGuabo, to speak on a panel at the EcoFarm conference.   

“We are hoping to have a staff trip and/or customer delegation to source, our first since pre-pandemic,” Myszka said. 

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its current avocado program, accept more shoulder sizes (larges and smalls) and add distribution in one or more US regions.