The Story Behind the Bean
In the remote highlands of Nicaragua, nestled among lush, rolling hills, coffee farms have long been the lifeblood of the community. However, for generations, many women in these rural areas lived in the shadow of a male-dominated society. They had little to no financial control, decision-making power, or opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty. Despite their tireless work planting, harvesting, and processing coffee beans, their contributions were often overlooked, and their voices went unheard.
Change began to brew in 2003, sparked by a bold movement led by 464 women farmers in northern Peru. These women took a leap of faith, separating their coffee production from the men’s and establishing their own identity in the coffee trade. This groundbreaking initiative gave birth to Café Femenino—a program created in partnership with Organic Products Trading Company (OPTCO) to champion gender equity, social justice, and women’s empowerment in coffee-growing regions across the globe.
Inspired by this success, the women farmers of Union Corcasan in Nicaragua joined the Café Femenino program. Through their involvement, they gained access to resources, training, and opportunities previously out of reach. With newfound leadership roles and financial independence, they worked tirelessly to improve their coffee farms, the economic backbone of their community. They fought back against the devastating effects of coffee rust, replanted coffee trees, and invested in sustainable practices to secure a brighter future for their families.
Today, the Nicaraguan women of Union Corcasan produce exceptional coffee that tells a story of resilience and hope. Every bean carries the legacy of their determination to rewrite the narrative of their lives and transform their communities. When you savor a cup of their coffee, you’re not just enjoying a rich, aromatic brew—you’re supporting a movement that empowers women, uplifts families, and creates a ripple effect of change that spans generations.
This is more than coffee. This is the taste of empowerment.