Tough Times for Fondo Paez
Posted by matt at about 10am on Thursday July 1, 2010
Fondo Paez, our co-op partners in Colombia, are an indigenous group that produce some of the best coffee in Colombia. On June 11, their treasurer was attacked when he walked out of the bank and they lost the entire amount to be used to collect this year's coffee from growers. The total amount was 70,000,000 pesos which is about $37,000. This is simply devestating for the farmers and their families and represents a huge part of their expected income. They have no insurance for transferring the cash from bank to office and this is a total loss for them. Yuri, their treasurer, explained that this is one of the worst time in the group's history.
If you would like to donate to help Fondo Paez, please hit the paypal button below. Please specify that it should go to Fondo Paez. Any amount will help.
We will be taking donations for Fondo Paez through the end of the Summer, to send at the beginning of the Autumn.
Thanks!
Upcoming Delegations
Just Coffee Travel Delegations 2011
Join us on our 2011 delegation to La FEM women’s cooperative in Esteli, Nicaragua!
January 23-30th, 2011
Cost: $800
(Cost includes all in country transportation, two meals a day, lodging, a donation for the communities we visit, translation and interpretation services, and other activities. Price does not include airfare)
* Please inquire about scholarship opportunities, discounted group rates, or other options
Three Countries. Five Producer Groups. Eight Days.
Posted by Julia Baumgartner at about 3pm on Monday August 30, 2010Just Coffee's Producer Relations team (Matt Earley and Julia Baumgartner) embarked on an ambitious, rainy Central American adventure August 9th to the 18th, traveling tirelessly throughout three central american countries, set on catching up with old friends, hearing about new projects, new challenges, new goals, meeting new producer groups, and strengthening already existing relationships. Each country faces similar, yet distinct issues and through hours and hours of conversations, it became ever so clear the need to challenge ourselves and those around us to be creative in finding alternatives to serious issues that many of our friends down south are facing. We were taken aback by some of the things we learned, but were also left feeling inspired and motivated by the folks we met along the way.
Our travels led us to many offices and coffee farms, meeting with several NGOs and development organizations, working hard to support the work of coffee producers in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, through access to land, better markets, prefinancing, a secure food supply, trainings and workshops, etc.
Just Coffee Takes First!
Posted by mark the spark at about 3pm on Monday August 30, 2010 
The Isthmus Weekly released the results of its "Madison's Favorites" vote last week and Just Coffee Co-op came out on top in the "Madison's Favorite Coffee Roaster" category. The atmosphere around JC was ecstatic when we heard the news. After some of us got past the "is this real?" stage, we descended upon the production facility to eat the lovely apple pie that accompanied our certificate. This is the first year (as far as we know) that the Isthmus has included this category in its popular electoral contest. We salute Madison for giving us this honor and we will work to keep giving the people what they want in 2011.
