Coffee farmers in Coatepeque are preparing to reach new markets with the San Miguel Coffee Cooperative.  The Coatepeque farmers have overcome a history more difficult than most, engaging the military in armed battle for 36 years.  Their swords now beaten into ploughshares and their guns traded in for hoes and machetes, the former guerillas have planted a collective coffee plantation that provides income for their families as well as community infrastructure like a school, basketball court, and computer lab.

The farmers have done admirably, developing  their business and town, producing a high grade product, and selling out every year.  Their only deficiency is in selling themselves short.  With little understanding of  markets, they have sold their product at 23% of the retail market value.

That’s where As Green As It Gets comes in.  Working farmer-to-farmer, the producers in Coatepeque learn the secrets to a few key value added steps that let them increase their profit margin and cut costs.   In their first meeting, the Coatepeque group dropped their packaging costs 25%.  Now they are preparing to reach export markets, where their profitability will increase greatly.  Stay tuned for news as they progess.