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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op's "Anti-franchise" Model of Co-op Development

JustUs! is Canada’s first fair trade and organic coffee roaster founded in 1995.  Its work has always been focused on social and environmental justice using coffee as a vehicle for change. Organic agriculture, as practiced by small producer farm co-ops in the Global South, is vital to the well-being and health of people and the planet.  As a worker co-op, Just Us! returns a portion of its profit to non-member workers, worker-members and producer-partners.

Just Us! is a key employer in rural Nova Scotia (the Annapolis Valley) and knows that when small businesses thrive the whole community benefits. That’s why it created a Partner Program to support businesses considering succession planning using the co-op model or start-ups wanting to open a cafe. Why re-invent the wheel when JustUs! has a wealth of resources, contacts and ideas to share?

Have a listen as General Manager Joey Pittoello discusses the history of this co-op, its growth over the last 26 years, and where to from here?

Listen to the episode at Each for All

 

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