Origins
We began our journey in 2018 with a vision for a regular and ongoing mutual aid effort. As poor people, we understand the reality of food deserts and food swamps, especially as residents of the Southside of Syracuse, New York. We already had a revolutionary outlook, but outlook and action are not the same. We began building relationships with local farmers who could provide us with excess produce that was brought to market. In turn we would have a set location in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city, in what is laughably called a park but is in reality a location for the City of Syracuse to restrict public squares to those who can afford permits and don’t mind the police looking over their shoulder.
We would provide fresh produce, occasional shelf stable goods, clothing when available, fentanyl testing strips for substance users, and (with time) infant formula especially during shortages. Through 2022 we estimate we have provided 15,000-20,000 pounds of farm fresh produce, roughly 750 cans of infant formula, over 1000 items of clothing, and over 2000 fentanyl test strips. We have done so largely without outside funding. This has been difficult as poor people, especially factoring in the necessities for rented trucks, tables, tents, bags, and bottled water.
The Cooperative
In 2020 we had come to the conclusion that for this work to continue and expand we would require a way to earn an income where mutual aid and our revolutionary vision were a core tenet of our day to day lives. This is where we landed on the idea of a worker cooperative. We, as poor folks, have worked in the food industry regularly, but always from the perspective of wage slaves. It seemed that we deserved to work in common with these skills and have agency, autonomy, and democracy when we practiced them. And that we should share this vision and practice with our neighbors, comrades, friends, and family.
Coffee roasting felt like a natural fit, as we could ensure a supply chain that maintained these principles. Hence why today all of our green coffee beans are supplied from other worker cooperatives globally through a provider that is also a worker cooperative. It is also why you will only find union made merchandise, and only find union shipping options through USPS. This not only ensures a unifying vision, but a quality of product that cannot be matched via traditional business practices.
At No Mugs No Masters Cooperative you will find an exacting standard of not just production and quality, but governance, and forward thinking practices. This is why you will see our mission of creating a confederation of worker cooperatives. This mission is not just for Syracuse, however, but is rather part of a larger revolutionary outlook at bringing about a better world free of state and capitalist violence, coercion, exploitation, and oppression. You will always be assured that your cup of coffee is something to feel good about. From supporting a supply chain of workers who share our vision to supporting our ongoing mutual aid work in our community.
At No Mugs No Masters you will find a better cup for a better world.