Producer Profiles
COAGRICSAL - Cooperativa Agrícola Cafetalera San Antonio
The Cooperativa Agrícola Cafetalera San Antonio, or COAGRICSAL, was founded in 1995 with one vision – improve the quality of lives in their community and preserve the environment. The harmonious relationship between human beings and the environment is something COAGRICSAL holds sacred. By centralizing their harvesting methods around environmentally sustainable practices, the cooperative acted to revive their effected ecosystems. Today, the cooperative includes 800 members, all of which have benefitted from their Fair Trade certification. Fair Trade premiums have allowed them to invest in community projects that help strengthen livelihoods, health, sanitation and education. From start to finish, farmers pay very close attention to the way their coffee is produced and hold high standards of quality. They sell primarily to specialty coffee markets reaching a variety of consumers on a global scale.
Programs
Women's Business Center
COAGRICSAL is implementing a project exclusively for women members and spouses. The cooperative is creating a business center where women can create and sell crafts and other products for additional income.
Women's Business Center
COAGRICSAL is implementing a project exclusively for women members and wives of members. The cooperative is creating a business center where women can create and sell crafts and other products to the community for an additional income.
Low Interest Loans
Using Fair Trade premium funds, COAGRICSAL is able to offer small loans to producers for farm maintenance at very low interest rates, financially assisting an estimated 473 producers (2011).