Producer Profiles
HUATUSCO - Unión Regional Pequeños Productores Café Huatusco
Today, HUATUSCO has an estimated 3,000 members and provides an additional 3,500 small producers with commercialization and marketing services. As a community organization, they claim to have helped over 25,000 people in the state of Veracruz where they are located. Collectively, the organization finds new and more efficient ways to cultivate and market their high quality Arabica coffee. Direct connections with specialty markets in the United States and Europe have enhanced their production and sales. Women make up a large number of their workforce. Together, they work to overcome current challenges such as globalization and market inconsistencies, and to maintain a value product in the best interest of the community. The organization exports to markets in the United States, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and other European nations.
In 2012, Huatusco because the first Fair Trade partner with Kiva Microfunds and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to pilot a Fair Trade microfinance program. The organization hopes to be able to provide microloans to its members to convert production to organic and to refurbish old farms.
Quotable
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I am grateful to the consumers who support us through their Fair Trade purchases. I hope we can continue to sell our coffee at the Fair Trade price because our lives depend on it. ” Jaime Rosas Vásquez, Huatusco Member
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Programs
Investing in Quality
The cooperative invested over $17,400 in quality improvement projects for members, including training programs that emphasized quality as a means towards a better price and consequently, an improved livelihood.
Environmental Program
The cooperative invested over $16,300 in an environmental conservation program. Members learned which agrochemicals are prohibited by Fair Trade Standards and which natural pesticide remedies could be used alternatively. The program focused on environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Scholarships and Student Support
The cooperative dedicated over $21,000 to fund scholarships for members' children and a parenting program that would teach the value of parental involvement and support throughout their childrens' education.
