Miguel Barrantes
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COOCAFÉ member
“If it had not been for Cafédirect and Fairtrade it is likely that we would have had to give up this business altogether. There are many coffee growers in this area who could not go on as the price they were paid was not enough to cover the cost of growing and preparing it.
As the years of crisis continued people could not get by with such poor prices, so they had to abandon their coffee fields and either go to the city or try and get work on the large ranches or plantations. Those of us small farmers that have survived are very grateful to those who have participated in Fairtrade, and we hope that these links with continue. For us it is the way to be sure of having a market where we can sell our coffee.”
Alvaro Gomez
COOCAFÉ member
“For me the most important effect of Cafédirect and fair trade is in education, and it’s overall social impact.
About 4 years ago the cooperative started a scholarship scheme aiming to give the members children the opportunity of going to school or even to university to train and get qualifications.
In the long run this will have a strong multiplier effect in the community. As for improvements in health, the Carvajal community, one of the poorest, now has electricity and drinking water. They had to pay money to get these services installed but a very poor community cannot do this.
read more about how Cafédirect has impacted the lives of members of COOCAFÉ and their communities
Víctor Céspedes
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Board member of Coopeldós, one of the member organisations of COOCAFÉ
"The coffee sales done by Cafédirect in the Fairtrade market gives recognition to the work we do.
We, the producers are important and we deserve a better price for the sale of our coffee. Besides, this is the motivation we need to continue to produce more quantity & better quality of coffee - for the wellbeing of our families."