NYSUT Partnership With Fair Trade Coffee Company Dean’s Beans to Benefit Disaster Relief Efforts

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 7 -- The New York State United Teachers issued the following news release:

Members of New York State United Teachers looking to support efforts to create a more just economy in developing nations while boosting their statewide union's disaster relief efforts can now do both at once -- thanks to a new partnership with Fair Trade coffee distributor Dean's Beans.

Under the agreement, the union's more than 600,000 members and others can purchase special NYSUT-branded coffee -- with $2 from each bag of coffee being rebated by Massachusetts-based Dean's Beans to NYSUT's Disaster Relief Fund.

"Our members who need a jolt of caffeine after fighting for an increased investment in public education and to reform the state's broken testing and evaluation system can now feel extra good about their work," said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. "Some of their dollars will go toward supporting Fair Trade in developing nations while also helping fellow Americans -- and union members -- reeling from natural disasters."

Pallotta said NYSUT's Disaster Relief Fund has distributed more than $2.5 million in grants since its creation in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. NYSUT members have contributed -- through dress down days, bake sales and other small fund-raisers -- to support their colleagues and neighbors after Superstorm Sandy; flooding in the Southern Tier; the hurricanes that devastated Texas, Florida, Houston, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; as well as the earthquake that struck Haiti.

"NYSUT members are deeply committed to their communities and the cause of social justice, here and abroad," Pallotta said. "When disasters strike, our members open their hearts and wallets to assist educators, families and schools."

The project is being spearheaded by NYSUT's Civil and Human Rights Committee, which works tirelessly on Fair Trade and other social justice issues. Members and others interested in supporting this project can learn more -- and order coffee -- at https://deansbeans.com/fundraising/nysut.html.

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.