Dear De La Gente Supporters, When farmers began harvesting the first coffee cherries at the end of 2021, international coffee prices were at a ten-year high. The small-scale producers with whom we work had the option to sell their product through other avenues and capitalize on this rare opportunity. Instead, they approached us before selling their coffee elsewhere to express their concern for DLG customers and desire to preserve those relationships. DLG prides itself on paying small-scale producers more than the market value of coffee. Staying true to our mission, we took this news to our green coffee customers, and each roaster and café owner who purchases from our (now eight!) partner cooperatives resoundingly recommitted to another year of fairly compensating small-scale producers. As I witnessed this dynamic during the 2021 harvest, it reminded me of what first drew me to De La Gente years ago and what rejuvenates my current commitment to this organization that has a mind for business and a heart for people. What makes us unique is having a network of customers and supporters who, too, value the livelihoods of coffee farmers in Guatemala. Whether your allyship came in the form of purchasing a pound of roasted coffee to brew in your home to donating to sourcing DLG coffee in your café, thank you for joining us for another year of cultivating opportunities.
JULIO MARTÍNEZ Interim Executive Director
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DE LA GENTE 2021 IMPACT REPORT
