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Most of us know something about what we prefer when tasting coffee, but, how do we know if our coffee has been ethically sourced? Does it matter if it is labeled “Organic”? What is fair trade? What do labels mean for producers in the Global South? Join us for some fresh brewed coffee while Café Mam’s Community Liaison, Megan Bassett, shares photos, stories and a short film made from Café Mam’s 2025 trip to Chiapas. You will leave with warm regard for the producers and clarity regarding the difference between ethically sourced and the majority of coffee on the market. Drawing on Café Mam’s 35 year partnership with producer-owned coffee cooperatives in Chiapas, Mexico, this workshop gets to the heart of what matters first with coffee.
Megan Bassett, Community Liaison Having studied Latin American History & Politics and Spanish language at the University of Oregon, Megan’s experience provides an engaging lens through which to view Café Mam’s 35-year relationship with producer-owned cooperatives in Chiapas, Mexico. Her presentations touch on themes including coffee’s exploitative colonial origins, the pivotal emergence of producer-owned cooperatives, sustainable agroforestry, and the inspiring emergence of SPP Global as a champion for small-scale and indigenous producers in the global fair trade arena.
Our Co-op Community Classes program has a long and exciting history; we've had a plethora of learning partners over the years, the Free School, GRUB, the Fertile Ground, and more. Many of our classes focus on basic kitchen skills, often paired with a solid education in a particular kind of food: hearty greens, fermented foods, international delicacies, pies, etc. We also feature classes on gardening, personal health, sustainable living, and social justice. Classes are geared towards beginners, with no assumption of prior knowledge, often packed with specific projects appealing to those with more experience.
At the heart of all of our programming is the spirit of generosity. Our classes are led by Olympia Food Co-op working members, staff and community members who want to share their excitement and knowledge with you. Consider sharing your expertise with your community through a Co-op Community Class. Our classrooms are a place to experiment, to explore, and to try something new in a supportive environment. They are a great place to network and meet others in your community who share your interests.
