Producer Profiles
APECAFE - Asociación de Pequeños Productores de Café de El Salvador
APECAFE, or the Asociación de Pequeños Productores de Café de El Salvador, is an organization of 11 small farmer cooperatives from different regions of rural El Salvador. In 1997, local farmers united to form a cooperative based on common goals of voluntary membership, solidarity and an improved standard of living.
APECAFE now provides extensive services to cooperative members including pre-harvest financing, technical assistance and community development. The association has steadily increased their direct exports to international Fair Trade markets since becoming Fair Trade Certified in 1998. After a long period of economic failure, the cooperative's involvement with Fair Trade facilitated negotiations with lenders, gradually decreasing their debt and beginning to retain capital and plan investments to increase efficiency and productivity.
APECAFE claims Fair Trade has attracted new members to their organization, and Fair Trade premiums have enabled them to establish various social and productive programs benefiting their communities.
APECAFE now provides extensive services to cooperative members including pre-harvest financing, technical assistance and community development. The association has steadily increased their direct exports to international Fair Trade markets since becoming Fair Trade Certified in 1998. After a long period of economic failure, the cooperative's involvement with Fair Trade facilitated negotiations with lenders, gradually decreasing their debt and beginning to retain capital and plan investments to increase efficiency and productivity.
APECAFE claims Fair Trade has attracted new members to their organization, and Fair Trade premiums have enabled them to establish various social and productive programs benefiting their communities.
Quotable
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By earning a Fair Trade price, I was able to send my children to high school and improve my home by adding electricity and potable water. ” Juan Zacariás, Member, Las Colinas
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Our work is valued more thanks to the benefits small farmers have obtained by way of the market, which opened to us only through Fair Trade. ” Guillermo Hernández, Committee Leader, Salto
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Programs
Crop-Diversification Project
The members of APECAFE created a crop-diversification project that promotes the cultivation of bananas, avocados and lemons. The co-op trained members in shade-grown and organic farming methods.
First Aid Clinics
The cooperative supplies communal clinics and first aid posts for members.
Gender Equality
APECAFE works to raise awareness of gender inequalities and improve incomes for women in the cooperative.