PEOPLE, PURPOSE
AND IMPACT

A CLOSED LOOP
CIRCLE OF IMPACT
From bean to cup and back, we’re proud to work with partners committed to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and innovative, grassroots initiatives that empower and uplift coffee farmers.

A CLOSED LOOP
CIRCLE OF IMPACT
From bean to cup and back, we’re proud to work with partners committed to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and innovative, grassroots initiatives that empower and uplift coffee farmers.
OUR THREE-PRONGED APPROACH






Doing our part to further the UN
Sustainable Development Goals
Financial literacy training in Kenya
Registered in 1985, the Kabng’etuny Farmers Co-operative Society is located in Kericho County in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Since then, with over 300 members in Kericho and an additional 200 in Nandi County, the Kipkelion Women’s Union was formed and has played a pivotal role in supporting women in coffee farming. However, the capacity of these women farmers is often limited by domestic responsibilities, lack of financial literacy and a gap in their self-confidence to make decisions in their businesses.
Research shows that when women are in control of their household income, the result is better outcomes for the entire community, including health and education. This unique initiative is aimed at building the financial management skills of these women farmers so they can make smart investments, save for the future, and build resilience to economic shocks. Our goal is to also create a network of women leaders for farmer groups and cooperatives.


Financial literacy
training in Kenya
Registered in 1985, the Kabng’etuny Farmers Co-operative Society is located in Kericho County in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Since then, with over 300 members in Kericho and an additional 200 in Nandi County, the Kipkelion Women’s Union was formed and has played a pivotal role in supporting women in coffee farming. However, the capacity of these women farmers is often limited by domestic responsibilities, lack of financial literacy and a gap in their self-confidence to make decisions in their businesses.
Research shows that when women are in control of their household income, the result is better outcomes for the entire community, including health and education. This unique initiative is aimed at building the financial management skills of these women farmers so they can make smart investments, save for the future, and build resilience to economic shocks. Our goal is to also create a network of women leaders for farmer groups and cooperatives.
INITIATIVE GOALS AND OUTCOMES







Agricultural training in Ecuador
Supporting local farmers and inspiring the next generation. Witoca founders Andrea Lopez and Fabio Legarda are dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farmers in Ecuador’s Amazon region, both through coffee farming and through education. They’re also dedicated to elevating the quality of Robusta coffee, which has traditionally been perceived as inferior to Arabica, and are working to support its growth as a quality coffee in the Amazon.
Witoca works closely with AsoAmazonas, an organization of coffee farmers that helps ensure farmers have access to training and receive fair prices for Robusta coffee. In 2021, Witoca opened the doors of Witoca Lab, the first coffee quality lab in the northern Amazon, and launched the first coffee shop in Ecuador focused on Robusta Coffee.

Agricultural training in Ecuador
Supporting local farmers and inspiring the next generation. Witoca founders Andrea Lopez and Fabio Legarda are dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farmers in Ecuador’s Amazon region, both through coffee farming and through education. They’re also dedicated to elevating the quality of Robusta coffee, which has traditionally been perceived as inferior to Arabica, and are working to support its growth as a quality coffee in the Amazon.
Witoca works closely with AsoAmazonas, an organization of coffee farmers that helps ensure farmers have access to training and receive fair prices for Robusta coffee. In 2021, Witoca opened the doors of Witoca Lab, the first coffee quality lab in the northern Amazon, and launched the first coffee shop in Ecuador focused on Robusta Coffee.
INITIATIVE GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Together with Witoca:






Meliponas bees & coffee
Smaller than typical bees, Meliponas bees are stingless but powerful pollinators that help sustain the Amazon’s biodiversity. While they can only do their work while the sun is shining because they can’t fly during downpours, they make up for this by pollinating up to 35,000 flowers throughout their average lifetime of five weeks. Studies show that Meliponas bees can help increase the size, weight and aroma of coffee cherries, as well as the plant’s productivity. They’re also highly sustainable: although one bee may only live for five weeks, the colony is constantly reproducing so there is never a shortage.
Through this initiative, we’re introducing Meliponas bees to Robusta coffee farmers at Witoca, with the goal of improving the quality, volume and taste of the coffee cherries, helping farmers earn an increased income from their work. We’re also establishing a program to train farmers and community members in the bee care process, building their skills and capacity to manage Meliponas apiaries and produce and sell honey.


Meliponas bees & coffee
Smaller than typical bees, Meliponas bees are stingless but powerful pollinators that help sustain the Amazon’s biodiversity. While they can only do their work while the sun is shining because they can’t fly during downpours, they make up for this by pollinating up to 35,000 flowers throughout their average lifetime of five weeks. Studies show that Meliponas bees can help increase the size, weight and aroma of coffee cherries, as well as the plant’s productivity. They’re also highly sustainable: although one bee may only live for five weeks, the colony is constantly reproducing so there is never a shortage.
Through this initiative, we’re introducing Meliponas bees to Robusta coffee farmers at Witoca, with the goal of improving the quality, volume and taste of the coffee cherries, helping farmers earn an increased income from their work. We’re also establishing a program to train farmers and community members in the bee care process, building their skills and capacity to manage Meliponas apiaries and produce and sell honey.
INITIATIVE GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Together with Witoca:





