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Coocafé is comprised of nine coffee cooperatives,
representing some 3,500 producers. The organization was founded
with the support of the agriculture and economics program within
the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
The principal objective of Coocafé is to enhance the cooperative
members’ products and resources, and to create alternatives
for sustainable and integrated development in their communities.
Ultimately Coocafé strives to reach a level of financial
self-sufficiency within each affiliate cooperative, as well as for
the umbrella organization.
Coocafé boasts professional export and administrative staffs
as well as impressive wet and dry processing plants and cupping
facilities.
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Unlike
most of our partner cooperatives, Coocafé receives all of
it members’ coffee as unprocessed cherries — right off
the tree. When farmers deliver their coffee, they receive a credit
based upon volume rather than weight. And for that reason, Coocafé
runs its wet processing plant through the night.
Coocafé has worked diligently to develop an array of special
label coffees - such as CafeForestal sold primarily in Europe and
CafePaz in the USA and Japan. This has allowed them to create a
special niche within the Fair Trade market and generate additional
income for members and associates.
Cooperative Coffees buys Coocafé coffees from Llano Bonito,
in the fabled Tarrazu region of Costa Rica, and organic coffees
from the Central Valley. |
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| Consortium of Coffee Cooperatives of Guanacaste & Montes
de Oro |
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Founded: January 23, 1988
Region: Central Valley and Tarrazu
Coffee:
Characteristics: |
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In addition to coffee, Coocafé
is aware of the need for members to diversify from single crop production.
Coocafé encourages the production of crops such as yucca
and macadamia  nuts,
and the implementation of ecological practices, such as reforestation
programs in the fields. Meanwhile, a Coocafé-run scholarship
fund, Hijos del Campo, promotes higher education for the children
of Coocafé associates. |
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