For over 25 years, our mission at Cafe Campesino has been deeply rooted in recognizing and understanding the challenges our farmer partners have overcome in order to produce some of the world’s best coffee. Solidarity co-ops typically consist of fewer than 500 members and are located in regions where generations of systemic inequality, conflict, or ecological degradation have taken their toll. And yet, these co-ops persevere. They are not only engines of economic empowerment, but also pillars of community, culture, and environmental stewardship. For decades, we’ve partnered with these remarkable cooperatives to help ensure they receive fair prices, long-term contracts, and support for community-driven development. Below are three of our most inspiring partners.
Maya Vinic: Coffee as Cultural Resistance in Chiapas, Mexico
Maya Vinic was founded in 1999 in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico by Tzotzil Mayan farmers after the tragic Acteal massacre, in which 45 peaceful community members were killed. Their founding was both an act of remembrance and an assertion of cultural resilience. Today, Maya Vinic unites nearly 500 families committed to preserving Mayan identity, equitable farming practices, and organic coffee cultivation.
Operating democratically through a General Assembly, Maya Vinic prioritizes transparency, education, and mutual support. Their coffee is certified organic and fair trade, grown at elevations above 1,200 meters, where rich volcanic soil and cool mountain air yield beans with bright citrus acidity, silky milk chocolate tones, and almond-like complexity.
Their reach extends beyond coffee—members also produce honey, crafts, and textiles, and operate a café in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, inviting locals and tourists alike to connect with their story. Purchasing Maya Vinic coffee supports not only fair wages but also the preservation of Indigenous culture and sovereignty in southern Mexico.
Fondo Paez: Reviving Indigenous Agriculture in Colombia
Fondo Paez, located in Colombia’s southwestern Cauca region, was established in 1992 to support the Paez (or Nasa) people in restoring their traditional farming systems and social structures. For decades, this region was engulfed in Colombia’s civil conflict, which left Indigenous communities particularly vulnerable to displacement and violence. In response, Fondo Paez emerged as a beacon of resilience.
With more than 550 smallholder members, the cooperative operates democratically and promotes autonomy through their “Recovering Agricultural Knowledge” initiative. This program blends Indigenous wisdom with agroecological innovation—fostering food security, biodiversity, and soil regeneration. Their organic, shade-grown coffee is cultivated between 1,500 and 1,900 meters and features vibrant notes of raisin, apricot, honey blossom, and brown sugar.
Since gaining Fair Trade certification in 2005, Fondo Paez has reinvested profits into education, health, and youth programs. They’re not just exporting coffee—they’re exporting a sustainable and inclusive model for development in post-conflict zones.
Las Diosas: Empowering Women Through Coffee in Nicaragua
Las Diosas, or “The Goddesses,” is a pioneering women-led cooperative in Estelí, Nicaragua. Founded in 1996, it comprises four smaller co-ops and about 250 women farmers who are reshaping the narrative in a male-dominated agricultural industry. Las Diosas promotes women’s rights, financial literacy, organic farming, and access to essential services like healthcare and housing.
Their work is particularly impressive given the challenges they’ve faced, including severe losses to coffee leaf rust (la roya) that will affect up to 60% of their harvest in coming years. In response, Las Diosas implemented aggressive field renovation efforts and established a revolving credit fund to support small-scale home farming and climate resilience projects.
Las Diosas’s fair trade, organic coffee is grown at elevations of 1,200–1,400 meters under shade cover, producing a sweet, medium-bodied cup with balanced acidity. Each purchase supports not only sustainable agriculture but also gender equity and women-led community transformation.
Why Solidarity Matters in Coffee
At Café Campesino, we believe coffee is cause for change. That’s why we are a proud founding member of Cooperative Coffees, a unique green coffee importing cooperative committed to fostering direct and transparent relationships with small-scale farmers around the globe. Unlike conventional trade models, our partnerships are grounded in long-term solidarity, not short-term transactions.
When you choose to purchase from Café Campesino, you’re not just supporting premium organic coffee—you’re investing in a more equitable supply chain. You’re amplifying the voices of Indigenous farmers in Colombia, standing with Mayan communities in Mexico, and championing women’s rights in Nicaragua.
Explore our current offerings from these co-ops in our online store, or learn more about our values on our About Us page.
A Final Brew of Gratitude
Coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a story in every cup. From the mountains of Chiapas to the highlands of Cauca and the fields of Estelí, solidarity co-ops are rewriting what it means to be both farmers and changemakers. By supporting them, we collectively nurture a future rooted in justice, sustainability, and connection.
Together, we’re building a supply chain that brews dignity with every pour. Drink consciously. Stand in solidarity. Join us.
