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THE LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
FAIR TRADE COFFEE PROJECT
Threats to Success
Even with the cooperative method of farming, many threats to success are lurking. Some are concerns that many farmers face, from environmental fears to financial issues. Currently, one of the most ominous threats for coffee farmers in this region is the proposals presented by larger countries labeled as free trade agreements. One impact of these agreements is certain: Those at the top of the economic structure will profit. The poor--such as those in Los Colinas--will have even less.
Los Colinas is located in the mountains on the eastern side of El Salvador. We trekked out to a coffee cooperative in this part of the country. The people we visited there are among the poorest of the poor. We first met with representatives of the Los Colinas cooperative. The co-op has 98 members and represents 4,500 people in all (members and their families). The weight of the world seemed to rest on their shoulders as they told us about the challenges they face. It was obvious that these farmers were doing everything within their means to provide an excellent product. They know that their best shot at survival is to provide the highest quality beans. They rise early every morning and work through the day to ensure that outcome. But regardless of their efforts to grow a high-quality plant, raise it to maturity, harvest at the perfect time, and process it to perfection, someone has to offer a fair price. If not, all effort to bring the best-quality coffee from the mountain to the market is for naught.
After our meeting with the co-op representatives, each of us in the delegation spent the night with one of the farming families. This is where I met the Garcia family.
A family portrait Next>
Questions? Email fairtrade@lwr.org to learn more.
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