Producer Profiles

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.
 

Quotable

“

Thanks to Fair Trade, the cooperative is investing in its peoples, land and businesses to create a better future.  ”

Antenor López Saavedra, Member
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Thanks to Fair Trade, small farmer organizations like us have been able to regulate prices in the internal market and pay a fair price for contracted labor.  ”

José Pintado Chinchay, Member

Programs

A Women's Committee

In 2009, the cooperative used $13,120 in premium funds to organize a women’s committee that would provide services to disadvantaged groups of young women. The committee aimed to train these young women in small-scale income generation projects. Program participants learned new skills such as how to raise small livestock for sales and personal consumption.

Infrastructural Developments

CAC Frontera San Ignacio spent $22,080 in premium funds on the construction of a new wet mill and coffee dryers that will minimize pollution and toxic runoff.

Burial Service Fund

The cooperative dedicated $1,262 in Fair Trade premium funds for burial services. This support is available for any member, spouse or members' children in the case of a family death.