[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Byline” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”Raleway|600|on||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#4a4a4a” header_3_font_size=”14px” link_option_url=”https:dev.cafeimports.com\/north-america\/ian” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In June of last year, Coopelibertad of Costa Rica approached us with an opportunity to support an inspiring new program called Caf\u00e9 Juventud, or Youth Coffee. The first shipment of Caf\u00e9 Juventud has just arrived at our warehouse. It has the signature flavor profile of our Caf\u00e9 Vida offering while supporting the next generation of Costa Rican coffee producers.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#424242″ font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Raleway|500|||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_font_size=”18px” body_link_font=”|600|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
P22509 \u2013 Caf\u00e9 Juventud \u2013 Central Valley<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Almond with mild fresh citrus zest flavors with mellow acidity and sweetness. <\/span> [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This is an offering with impact, and we’re proud to extend Coopelibertad’s call for support to you. Check out the offering above or continue reading to learn more about organizations dedicated to addressing youth crises at origin and home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Cafe_Juventud-3.jpeg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Cafe_Juventud-3″ show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The many challenges of coffee production are leading young farmers away from the industry. Worldwide, the average age of coffee producers is around 55, and less than 5%<\/a> of the world’s farmers are under 35.<\/p>\n Coopelibertad, formed in 1961, has observed a widening generational gap among its member producers, who have aged alongside the Central Valley cooperative. Out of the 550 associated producers, only 31 are under 40 years old. Land in the Central Valley, Costa Rica’s third-largest coffee-producing region, is being sold for housing, industrial, and commercial projects as young people move to cities for employment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Costa_Rica_Coopelibertad-6.jpeg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Costa_Rica_Coopelibertad-6″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After many years of brainstorming solutions, Coopelibertad formed Juventud Cooperativa and its committee in 2022. They began communicating with young producers, children, and grandchildren of members to understand their challenges and needs better and what kind of support would encourage them to continue working in the coffee sector. A year later, 70 producers under 35 had joined the program, and we were invited to learn about it.<\/p>\n Last June, Green Buyer Luis Arocha, some Cafe Imports staff, and Carley Kammerer of Wildflyer Coffee joined a call with Coopelibertad’s CEO, Guillermo Trejos Soto. Cafe Imports and Coopelibertad have been working together through their Costa Rica exporting company, Oxcart Coffee, since 2021. Carley is the founder of Wildflyer Coffee, a customer of Cafe Imports, and a Minneapolis neighbor who employs youth experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Costa_Rica_Coopelibertad-5.jpeg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Costa_Rica_Coopelibertad-5″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-21px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Guillermo shared their objective: to develop a program that achieves greater equity and inclusion for women and youth while reinvigorating the cooperative’s organizational, productive, and commercial model. To accomplish this, they have created a training program that covers ecologically sustainable production and processing techniques with the assistance of ICAFE agronomists. They also provide recreational community activities, barista courses, business courses, and workshops on alternative uses of coffee by-products. The coffee produced by the young farmers is sold with a premium, and the proceeds go back to the farmers and support the continuation of the program’s workshops. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” custom_margin=”-12px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Coopelibertad was founded on the belief that small producers could gain more knowledge, profitability, and freedom in business decisions by working together. The industry landscape has changed sixty-three years later, but Coopelibertad is championing the same communal principles to empower women and young producers.<\/p>\n Encouraging coffee’s youth is urgent and consequential. So, we asked, “How can we help?” Coopelibertad requested financial support, a home for the first lot, and a $0.10\/lb premium. Since then, we’ve been eager to offer the first coffee from the Caf\u00e9 Juventud program.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Wildflyer_1.jpg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Wildflyer_1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Another area of passion for Cafe Imports is connecting roasters to producers, like Wildflyer Coffee and Coopelibertad, who have created programs for the well-being of the youth in their communities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Wildflyer_3.jpg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Jason_Ayela” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” text_text_color=”#4a4a4a” text_font_size=”12px” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of Wildflyer’s two shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nA Call From Coopelibertad<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nWildflyer Coffee Expands Their Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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