Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas SC, Mexico
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Fair Trade has helped me, and because of it, we have been able to improve the conditions of my family life and that of the community by making progress little by little.
--- Raul Gutierrez, CESMACH Member Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas (CESMACH) is a coffee cooperative located in the southern highlands of Chiapas within the buffer zone of the El Triunfo Biosphere. El Triunfo is an area of great ecological importance because it contains two of the most complex and beautiful ecosystems in the world: the cloud forest and the tropical rain forest. El Triunfo’s unique ecosystems are home to an incredible variety of plant and animal species considered rare or in danger of extinction.
CESMACH members are deeply committed to practicing sustainable agriculture to protect the biosphere and the natural resources within its boundaries. CESMACH became Fair Trade certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) in 2001.
The Fair Trade premium has enabled Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas SC to establish various social and productive programs.
Education:
CESMACH has established a fund to provide school supplies to members' children.
Productive Investment:
Access to credit has allowed the co-op to finance the construction of a cupping laboratory, a coffee storage shed, and a meeting hall. Members are provided with training in sustainable agricultural methods, organic production and quality control.
Environment:
CESMACH was awarded the 2003 Ecological Merit Award by the Mexican government for its efforts to protect endangered plant species. The co-op is currently working on converting all production to organic methods.
Credit Program:
CESMACH's members have been able to pay off their debts and make necessary improvements to their homes, thanks to the higher price they receive for the coffee from Fair Trade sales. CESMACH also offers 100 percent pre-harvest financing for its members, assuring that the farmers have the resources they need to produce high quality coffee.
Women's Programs:
CESMACH has a women's program that trains 8 groups of women how to raise poultry and cultivate organic gardens.
Health:
Each family has a first aid kit at hand, supplying necessary medicines and first aid materials. Also, cooperative members attend workshops on cultivating and identifying medicinal plants. |
Fair Trade Coffee 
