Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera "Frontera de San Ignacio" LTD, Peru
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Thanks to Fair Trade the small farmers organizations have been able to regulate prices in our internal market and to pay a fair price for contracted labor.
--- José Pintado Chinchay, Frontera San Ignacio member The cooperative Frontera San Ignacio was founded in 1968 by a Jesuit Priest and 90 associate founders, in order to eliminate intermediaries and to obtain better prices. The producers were tired of the abuses committed by coyotes, who received the bulk of the profits for re-selling coffee that they themselves did not produce.
Frontera San Ignacio is located in San Ignacio province in the Cajamarca region of Peru, as its name indicates, it is located on the Peruvian-Ecuadorian border. In 2009, the organization reached 92% organic production and is working its way towards fully organic cultivation of coffee among its 343 members.
Fair Trade certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) in 2001, Frontera San Ignacio directly exports its coffee to international markets.
The Fair Trade premium has enabled Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera "Frontera de San Ignacio" LTD to establish various social and productive programs.
Technical Assistance Program:
Frontera San Ignacio producers are divided into eleven base organizations. The head of the Technical Department works with each base organizations to coordinate technical assistance and technology trainings to keep producers up to date with the newest developments and best practices. Fair Trade premiums help fund this program.
Certification and Control System Maintenance:
The cooperative allocated Fair Trade premiums towards organic and Fair Trade certifications and internal control systems audits.
Infrastructural Developments:
Frontera San Ignacion spent premium funds on the construction of a new wet mill and coffee dryers that will minimize pollution and toxic runoff.
Revoloving Credit Fund:
The cooperative dedicated premium monies to a rotating credit fund that grants cooprative members small loans to purchase organic fertilizers.
Health Fund:
Frontera San Ignacion allocated premium funds towards a Health Fund for cooperative and community members to draw on in times of medical emergency and need.
Women’s Programs:
In 2009, the cooperative used premiums funds to organize a women’s committee to serve disadvantaged groups of young women. The committee’s aim is to train these young women and girls in small-scale income generation projects. The program participants learned skills relating to raising small livestock animals for sale and food
Educational Programs:
The cooperative allocated Fair Trade Premiums for theoretical and practical training workshops for managers, farmers and cooperative staff members
Burial Services:
The cooperative has dedicated Fair Trade premium funds for burial services. This support is available for any member, spouse or member children in the case of a family death. |
Fair Trade Coffee 
