COOPACFSI - Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Frontera de San Ignacio

Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera “Frontera San Ignacio” was founded in 1968 by a Jesuit priest and 90 associates in order to eliminate intermediaries and obtain better prices for their coffee beans. The producers were tired of the abuse by “coyotes,” or middle men, who received large profits by re-selling the coffee they purchased directly from producers at higher prices. Producers accepted the initial low sale because access to immediate cash was very limited. CAC Frontera San Ignacio is located in the San Ignacio province of the Cajamarca region of northern Peru. As its name indicates, it shares borders, or “frontera,” with Ecuador. In 2009, the organization reached 92 percent organic production and it is working towards full organic cultivation. The organization counts with 343 members, and growing.