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This blend includes tea grown by the small-scale farmers of the Potong Tea Garden in Darjeeling, India, an organic, Fair Trade tea garden managed by Tea Promoters of India (TPI). TPI is a pioneer in environmental and social reform in the tea industry. Once a colonial plantation, the Potong Tea Garden is now collectively run by its workers and paving a stronger, more democratic path forward for the community.

Most teas — even Fair Trade teas — come from large-scale plantations and tea estates where workers have little say, and are trapped in a system of dependency. Equal Exchange’s fairly traded, organic teas are different! We buy our delicious tea directly from democratically-organized groups of growers. When small-scale farmers gain access to the global market, they have more economic power, better lives, and healthier communities.

Each of our producer partners is unique, with a history of ambition, struggle and success. Over the years, these farmers have worked to set themselves apart in a historically oppressive industry. Read more about our tea partners and supply chain on the blog!