Our first trade relationship in 1997 was setup through Hugo Ciro, our CEO, with a cooperative of small-scale coffee farmers in Antioquia, Colombia. From interviews and visits with community members Hugo heard that the farming families' greatest desire was to see their children go to school. Hugo found a group of dedicated teachers and community members who joined together to form Famicafé.

Since our first container purchased from Colombia in 1997, we have bought 75 containers and premiums from these containers have been contributed to Famicafe.

*COLOMBIAN COFFEE PURCHASE HISTORY HERE

Meet the Producers

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Supply Chain

Level Ground purchases coffee from Cooperativa de Caficultores de Andes, who purchases coffee for Level Ground from four small associations of small-scale farmers.

Producer Group

Name Co-op Andes

Background of Organization: The Coffee Farmers' Cooperative of Andes was founded in 1961 with the goal of providing sustainable and efficient market for coffee farmers as the best socio-economic alternative for coffee farming families who are members of the co-op. Its mission is to participate actively in the economic development of of the region. Currently the Co-op has over 4000 members.

Location: South West Antioquia, near Andes, Colombia

Type of Organization: Co-op

Certifications: 4 C

Trading Partnership Established: 1997

Farmers

Farmer Profile: Four small associations of farmers (less than 250 farmers in total) sell dry parchment coffee (dpc) to Co-op Andes for shipment to Level Ground. Farm sizes are small scale (2-7 acre plots). Farmers grow coffee as their main source of income (70% of total income) and only crop for export. Banana, cassava, citrus, grass for cattle, corn, beans are often also grown interspersed with coffee trees. Their estimated harvest is 1000 kg/farm.

Area: La Chaparrala, Santa Ines, Bella Vista (Betania) and Aguas Lindas located in the South West Antioquia, near Andes

Altitude: 1,400-2,000m

Harvest: October -December and May - June

Species: Coffea arábica

Variety: Bourbon, Caturra, Colombia, Typica

Shade Grown: Yes; plants used for shade grown include Cordia alliodora (in the borage family), guava, avocado, yellow acacia, and erythrina

Average income/year for farmers: $3,400 USD/yr before expenses

Estimated living wage: $2,000 USD or $5.66/day for farmers

Direct Fair Trade Premiums: Premiums from purchases of Colombia coffee, are directed towards educational scholarships for children of farming families. In 2010, a total of 47 students received scholarships - 38 primary, secondary and high school students, 9 University students.