We owe you a huge thanks. For every pound of green coffee we buy from our partners, 3 cents goes to an Impact Fund that supports their climate resiliency and sustainability efforts. It also is used to assist farmer co-ops when climate-related disasters strike their members and their communities. That money, inevitably, comes from your continued practice of buying our coffee.
As our importing cooperative– Cooperative Coffees— continues efforts to address climate-related challenges in the coffee sector, our Impact Fund plays a crucial role in supporting coffee producers. Established in 2015 initially to combat coffee leaf rust and later extended to pandemic relief efforts, this fund is powered by setting aside 3 cents per pound of green coffee purchased. Currently generating around $200,000 annually, the impact fund enables Cooperative Coffees to make a tangible difference in assisting small-scale coffee farmers in addressing critical issues such as productivity enhancement, and climate change mitigation.
Originally launched to combat the devastating impact of coffee leaf rust, the fund later expanded its scope to offer relief during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. This flexibility in responding to emergent issues demonstrates the organization’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of coffee-producing communities and ensuring their resilience. Most recently the fund has committed $25,000 for relief to victims of intense flooding and mudslides in Democratic Republic of The Congo. The funds will primarily be used to assist children who have been orphaned by the disaster and help them obtain food, shelter, and continue their education.
One of the key focus areas of Cooperative Coffees’ impact fund is increasing productivity and implementing climate change mitigation strategies. By working closely with coffee cooperatives, the organization supports initiatives that enhance farming practices, improve agricultural techniques, and promote sustainable approaches. These efforts not only result in increased productivity and income for coffee producers but also contribute to the long-term resilience of coffee-growing regions in the face of climate change.
Cooperative Coffees recognizes the importance of market access for coffee producers to thrive economically. The organization invests in initiatives that facilitate improved market access for cooperatives. This includes supporting capacity building, fostering relationships with buyers, and promoting sustainable trade practices. By ensuring fair and transparent trade, Cooperative Coffees creates opportunities for coffee producers to access international markets and secure stable incomes.
Cooperative Coffees’ Impact Fund is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting coffee producers and driving positive change in the coffee industry. By setting aside a portion of each green coffee purchase, the fund generates significant financial resources annually. This allows Cooperative Coffees to collaborate with coffee farming cooperatives, address pressing challenges of their members, enhance productivity, and mitigate climate change. None of this work can happen without you— our loyal customers– being willing to buy our coffee support our mission, and assist small-scale coffee farmers address long-term climate resiliency and short-term climate change-related emergencies. So a huge thanks for having their backs and supporting this crucial work.
