Lenca

It’s 2001. Coffee prices have crashed. Farms are abandoned for lack of resources, and fertilizers have become too expensive. Without chemical treatments, nature slowly takes over: trees start growing back, and shade returns to the land.

It’s in this environment that COMSA – Café Orgánico Marcala S.A. – is born. A group of organic-certified coffee farmers, led by the third generation of growers, came together with just $600 in hand. Quickly backed by FUNDER, the organization put people at the heart of its mission.

The beginnings were humble, but the goal was clear: give farmers the tools to truly understand their soil, their coffee, and their choices.

Today, more than 1,200 producers work together, committed to defending and spreading the values of the organization. Regular workshops are held, covering topics like coffee tasting and how to transition to organic farming practices. 

One of the big turning points? The introduction of detailed reports for every plot: volumes, margins, investments. Concrete numbers that made a real impact. As farmers started to understand their operations better, they invested in micro-washing stations, post-harvest equipment... Quality became a driver for change. 

Fairtrade certification played a key role. Thanks to the Fairtrade premium, farmers received up to $1,500 in annual bonuses, and most importantly, they were able to invest collectively in projects like:

• Setting up a Montessori-inspired school, open to all children, with or without disabilities
• Funding scholarships to study abroad
• Establishing a local banking system
• Modernizing the coffee processing plant

COMSA dedicates 25% of its income to education. Scholarships are offered not only to the children of COMSA members, but also to children from the wider community. Every year, kids receive English lessons through the cooperative’s initiatives.

Back then, many thought they were crazy. Today, their bet has become a model.

The education of producers has been holistic — from their farming practices to their daily diets. For example, sugar consumption was (and still is) a real problem. Even though the region produces tons of fruit, families often preferred to drink Coca-Cola. COMSA started hosting talks to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive sugar intake. 

But COMSA’s impact goes far beyond coffee.

Faced with the overwhelming problem of plastic waste, COMSA decided to act. They created a local recycling plant, where residents can bring plastic waste to be collected and sold. The plastic is then recycled into construction materials, like furniture.

It’s an initiative that’s both environmental and social — giving new value to waste, creating local jobs, and strengthening the community’s commitment to protecting the environment.