An initiative to support women coffee producers.

Women play a vital role, taking part in every stage of the supply chain but often handling the most time-consuming, most seasonal and lowest-paid tasks (like sowing, harvesting and sorting). Studies show that when women manage household income, there are many benefits: better child education, health, economic stability and overall family wellbeing.

For 10 years, we have been taking practical action to protect and develop forests through our Forest Coffees® brand

Forest Coffees® are ultra-high-quality coffees grown in well-preserved environments. Our trademark recognizes the know-how of local farmers and their in-depth knowledge of coffee agroforestry techniques. It illustrates the model’s environmental, social and economic merits.

Agroforestry allows farmers to diversify their income: agricultural production, timber and firewood, fodder, fruit, honey, etc. And thus reduce the vulnerability of the producer with less dependence on a single crop. The impact on biodiversity and soil quality is also considerable.

Fresh Coffee Clean Ocean: Our brand that guarantees you a decarbonized sea transport by 70 to 90% for your coffees.

Meeting El Maestro: Don Herbert Betancourt

It was following the Agatha storm in 2012 that Alex Herrera bought the Pampojila farm, whose production tools had been completely destroyed. Having restored it and through sheer determination, he managed to begin production again and in so doing restored jobs for about one hundred families. Since discovering coffee production at a farm like this, Alex sees coffee in a new light, and he now considers it a regional product. It is why he is fully committed to renovating and developing the farm, first by replanting coffee trees then by renovating the mill. Today he has 250 hectares of Caturra coffee trees planted at an altitude of between 1500 and 1,700 metres; the remaining 250 hectares serve as a nature reserve.

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Among Guatemala's five volcanic coffee regions, Atitlán stands out for having the most abundant organic matter in its soil. Coffee cultivation thrives on the slopes of the three imposing volcanoes that command the shores of Lake Atitlán. The microclimate is significantly shaped by the daily winds, known as Xocomil, which whip across the cold waters of the lake.

San Lucas Tolimán municipality is located in the department of Sololá, on the slopes of Lake Atitlán, at the foot of the imposing Tolimán volcano. This geographical location provides it with a privileged natural environment, with fertile lands and a temperate-humid climate, ideal for agriculture and rural activities. 
San Lucas Tolimán relies primarily on agriculture, which is the most representative activity and source of income for most of its inhabitants. The most important and symbolic crop in the municipality is coffee, produced on the slopes of the Tolimán Volcano and other high – altitude areas. In addition to coffee, other crops such as corn, beans, vegetables, bananas, avocados, and tropical fruits are grown. However, it is coffee that has shaped not only the local economy but also the social and cultural life of the municipality. There are cooperatives and small organized producers that participate in the fair trade market, which has strengthened the family and community economy. 
In ethnic terms, San Lucas Tolimán is predominantly inhabited by the Kaqchikel Mayan population, who preserve their language, traditions, and forms of community organization. This cultural identity is reflected in both religious festivals and agricultural practices, which often combine traditional techniques with modern methods. 
The richness of its Kaqchikel Mayan culture, its strategic location next to Lake Atitlán, and its natural resources make it a key site for both agricultural production and the cultural and environmental conservation of the region.

Guatemala has grown coffee since the mid-17th century. There are currently more than 305,000 hectares of coffee, representing 2.8% of national soil and spreading across the country’s 22 departments. 98% of producers grow coffee on a small scale, and less than 1% are large-scale farmers. Over 80% of the coffee exported is of a high quality, what we call a “SHB” (strictly hard bean) grade. Coffee is the second most important agricultural export after sugar. There are 8 coffee-growing regions. The highest production volume was recorded between, with 5 million bags of coffee, before the 2011 crisis hit.

Guatemala has numerous microclimates, explained by altitudes ranging from 0 to 4,211 metres. There are 37 volcanoes, which produce a soil ideal for coffee growth, as well as numerous mountains and rivers. It is also bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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