The Curibamba Coffee Project

We will be promoting Curibamba at the Specialty Coffee Association of America conference where we are exhibiting this April. (Photos!) Curibamba is being sold and enjoyed mainly in the southwest states of Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, & New Mexico, but also as far east as Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

The first of the Curibamba workshops for the growers will be in late April. After these meetings, we’ll have a better idea what’s happening for this year in regards to what we can do at a A Little Further South to continue the work for the overall community.

This year it appears that we’re going to see an abundant crop, and a return closer to production levels not seen since the coffee rust outbreak in 2012. Recently, we’ve heard news that Brazils production will be lower this year, and perhaps prices will rise from multi-year lows. We’re anxiously watching world markets for some guidance.

 

We’ve formed some relationships in the past year with other importers and roasters that should help our continued growth in the green specialty coffee market.

At the farm end, we will continue to focus our support efforts on solar drying tents and tables, but we’re also working with agricultural engineers to see what might best serve the growers. It may be new coffee trees, or strategic washing stations; we’re awaiting input from the fields. This year we want to try and get more support to the communities that are remote & lack easy transport. By getting washing stations there, we believe that we can make a real difference in quality.

Every year brings more education on the specifics of harvesting, fermenting, and drying. Edegel will be funding not only the educational programs, but will continue funding for the agricultural engineers, organic fertilizers and assistance with promotional programs for the brand. We believe that the quality from this years harvest will be the best ever…

 

Chacra D’dago

Biodynamic goes beyond organic. A self contained ecosystem that is healthy and strong at every level from soil to sky.

What we like about the Marin family, and the surrounding coffee communities of Villa Rica is the willingness to work together, and a commitment to coffee quality at every level. We see an opportunity to build a sustainable coffee source that not only provides great coffee, but does so in a way that empowers a community.

 

 

Fundo Santa Maria

We were extremely pleased to add Fundo Santa Maria & the Taipe family to our list of growers this past year. Working with the Cooperative “The Development of the Production of Cacao & Coffee in Agro-Forestal Systems” (my translation,) we hope to bring more of this fine coffee to the US this year.

This coop was one that came to our attention late in the buying cycle, and we were quite impressed with the quality and obvious care that went into their coffee. The remote Mazamari area in Peru has a history of poverty, and we look forward to seeing some community improvements as this area as the farmers work together for the good of all.

Coffee Cherries – Cenfrocafe

 

Cenfrocafe

We still have some quantities of Chasqui & Apu Gourmet from Cenfrocafe. This Cooperative pays at or above Fair Trade minimum prices, and provides exceptional technical support, as well as strict quality control.

Cenfrocafe is a cooperative that brings together more than 1,900 families in 84 partner networks in 10 bases in the provinces of Jaén, San Ignacio and Bagua in northern Peru. Cenfrocafe through the years has been characterized as the promoter of sustainable development, focusing on four main basics: economic, social, environmental and institutional, and this commitment has generated loyalty and identity in their partners and family.

The development of its activities are based on principles and values of democracy, social justice, equity, transparency, freedom and others, they are constantly socialized all Partners through decentralization strategies designed by the leaders and team.

Logo – Finca El Dorado

 

Finca El Dorado

The fine coffee produced by Horst Gehrmann of Finca EL Dorado was a tasty find for us this past year. Horst has made an investment in quality, and is painstaking about recording everything he does. Meticulous attention to detail can only improve quality, and we’re happy to have this connection. We still have a few bags of the honey processed Finca El Dorado. Call now!

Staying Busy (Still)

March was a time of road trips and visits to new coffee shops and roasters across the southwest. We’re also getting ready for SCAA’s big event. It won’t be long now!

Thanks so much to our new friends! We appreciate your support of a sustainable coffee chain, and look forward to supplying your coffee needs.