Cultivating Opportunity

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G R E E N COF F EE

De La Gente exists to provide stability to small-scale producers. We recognize that the historical and current inequity, exploitation, and value volatility within the coffee industry hinders their growth and prosperity as coffee professionals. To better understand these dynamics and our impact, it's crucial to understand various aspects of the industry. The C Price is the value of coffee as a commodity within the global market. This value is defined by supply and demand, so the back and forth flow of selling and buying informs the ever-fluctuating C price. This value, which is determined by the International Exchange in New York City, affects the livelihoods of coffee farmers around the world, including the small-scale farmers with whom we work. Their profession demands consistency, investment, and maintenance without knowing how their product and labor will be valued when the harvest comes. By the end of 2021, due to a scarcity of coffee in the international market, the value of green coffee was higher than it had been in ten years, something worth celebrating for the global community of farmers. However, those who work in coffee production are acutely aware of the instability of the C Price. DLG sets out to disrupt this cycle of volatility and provide a stable income for farmers, year after year. We’re proud to say that we work with a network of coffee buyers who have joined us in this mission to forge relationships with the cooperatives from which they purchase and invest in economic growth and stability within the community. Alfredo, who was elected president of La Suiza Cooperative in 2021 explains, “We say no to other buyers because those buyers come and go. But with [DLG], we know they're steady, and a lot of people here are aware of this and our goal is to continue and maintain our market.”

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DE LA GENTE 2021 IMPACT REPORT


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