Producer Profiles
CEPICAFE - Central Piurana de Cafetaleros
The cooperative aims to improve the quality of life of coffee-growing families and is an important contributor to the sustainable development of the region. It became Fair Trade Certified in order to access international markets on a level where farmers would be paid fairly for their product. CEPICAFE prides itself in the direct level of participation and autonomy that its members hold in decisions involving the cooperative.
Quotable
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Now that our product is of high quality, we are able to sell it at better prices and provide a better quality of life for our families. ” Bernabe Rivera, co-operative member
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I have been a member of CEPICAFE for three years. The road between my village and where we deliver our coffee is very long. Now, a truck comes to collect our coffee, whereas before, we had to carry it on donkeys and it took a long time. ” Ricardo Yajahuana, co-operative member
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As a member of CEPICAFE's technical team, I feel committed to the work being done to benefit small producers, and I am ready to continue to contribute to this cause. There is a healthy dialogue between the technical team and the producers which generates trust and solidarity. ” Aristoteles Neira, co-operative member
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Programs
Machinery and Equipment Improvements
CEPICAFE invested Fair Trade funds to improve their organization's production by purchasing new equipment and machinery. Upgrading their equipment enables CEPICAFE to produce a more quality product and also provides the workers with a safer working environment.
Coop Infrastructure Improvements
This ongoing program invests part of the premiums received by CEPICAFE into improving the cooperative's infrastructure. Warehouses have been expanded, computers have been purchased and other building improvements have been made. These projects have all improved the overall efficiency and productivity of the cooperative and increased the quality control of the coffee produced by members.
Community Project Fund
To improve the lives of members and assist with the development of their communities, CEPICAFE has invested part of its premiums in providing assistance to manage community projects. This fund suuports two professional consultants who work on projects that have been selected by each community. Past projects include the creation of business plans, the development of efficient production plans and other consulting projects that have provided services for diverse community needs.The consultants provide members with individualized assistance for each community.