Producer Profiles

COAGRICSAL - Cooperativa Agrícola Cafetalera San Antonio

COAGRICSAL was founded in 1995 with one vision – improve the quality of lives in their community and preserve the environment. The harmonious relationship between human beings and the environment is something COAGRICSAL holds sacred. By centralizing their harvesting methods around environmentally sustainable practices, the cooperative acted to revive their effected ecosystems.

Today, the cooperative includes 800 members, all of which have benefitted from their Fair Trade certification. The premiums have allowed them to invest in community projects that help strengthen livelihoods, health, sanitation and education. Farmers pay very close attention to the way their coffee is produced, from start to finish, and hold high standards of quality. They sell primarily to specialty coffee markets reaching a variety of consumers on a global scale.

The cooperative prides itself on its core values –solidarity, fairness and justice. Members believe they are stronger as a group, and together they strive for a better future for their families and community.
 

Programs

New Coffee Dryers

The cooperative elected to invest Fair Trade premium in the purchase of two dryers needed to handle increasing volumes of production. Members are able to dry their coffee at lower costs and garner a higher quality product.

Crop Diversification - Cocoa

Attempting to increase income for families that do not produce coffee in the community, COAGRICSAL initiated a project for fine cocoa cultivation. This project aimed to plant 2,000 acres of cocoa and would offer technical and financial support for the farmers able to work the lands. The cooperative also invested in the creation of a technical department with four certified technicians and one consultant to support Fair Trade and Organic certifications of other farms, making sure all regulations and farmers’ questions are answered.

Middle School Student Scholarships

The cooperative elected to award a portion of their Fair Trade funds as scholarships to 15 students. The scholarships were merit based and awarded to middle school students. It covered their tuition, books and transportation costs, and tutoring sessions if needed.