"Toffee, amaretto, fresh berry, and mild raisin flavors with tangy acidity and candy-like sweetness."
Women Producers
In attempt to recognize and promote the work women do growing and producing coffee around the world, the Women Coffee Producers project was established in order to highlight organizations and associations of women producers in various countries. The program aims to address the widespread wage inequity that women experience by adding a gender- equity premium on top of a base price; this premium is paid directly to the growers for use in any manner they choose.
Women ARGCAFEE
ARGCAFEE (Association de Transformadores y Comercializadores de Cafe Especiales de Argelia Cauca) is an association that started in 2014 with only 17 member producers, all of whom were committed to finding a better market for their coffee than the commercial one they were delivering to—both in search of higher prices and a better showcase for the quality of their coffee. As Argelia is relatively remote, it had been hard for the small farmers in the area to reach the marketplace and have leverage in their selling. Through their work, however, the association grew to over 230 members, about 150 of whom are presently active in farming and delivering lots to the association.
The community’s history has been eclipsed by armed conflict and illicit crop production, but ARGCAFEE is reshaping this narrative through the commerce of coffee. Collectively, they are implementing sustainable production techniques through training, commercializing member coffees and fostering buyer connections, drawing youth into the industry through education at ITARG (El Instituto Tecnico Argcafee), and creating sustainable and legal pathways to prosperity through their Women Producer and Coca Substitution programs.
This lot was developed with the women producers of ARGCAFEE. 78 women contribute to this program, with another 44 communicating intentions to join. The Women Producer program is designed to identify and incentivize the many women within the coffee industry. Along with this, this coffee is also part of the Coca Substitution Program.
Overall, the program offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of illicit crop cultivation by addressing the underlying socio-economic factors and promoting sustainable alternatives.