Most would agree that a good cup of coffee in the morning is paramount. But how many feel it’s important to choose an organic roast and, better yet, one that has been produced by a country that puts women in charge?
That’s where the members of Soroptomists International of La Jolla come in. On June 20, the Soroptimists discussed teaming up with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), an organization dedicated to helping women in coffee-producing countries gain power in the business world and escape being confined to the fields.
“Both organizations recognize the role women play as change agents,” said Margaret Swallow, IWCA board member, in a presentation to the Soroptimists. “Women don’t hold leadership roles in this [coffee] industry.”
In collaboration with Elan Organic Coffees, a San Diego-based organization that uses profits to implement social programs for improving living conditions in coffee-producing countries, the La Jolla Soroptimists hope to market shade-grown organic coffee produced by women in countries such as Costa Rica and donate the proceeds to IWCA.
Elan Organic markets certified organic shade-grown coffee that meets the standards of Quality Assurance International (QAI).
Jessica Walden, a representative from QAI, was also present to explain how the San-Diego-based firm helps to hold organic coffee growers to standards provided by federal regulations “” meaning coffee grown without any herbicides or pesticides and grown under the natural setting of tree canopies.
“Generally, coffee grown by small farmers and slowly grown products are better,” Walden said. “When they remove the rainforest, then they have to rely on conventional materials. The soil is eroded and there is a need for conventional fertilizers, which tend to produce crops without major nutrients.”
Crops that are grown using conventional methods often are doubled in size to support the demand, which makes them susceptible to insect attacks, according to Walden, who said that is why most farmers are forced to bring synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and agrochemicals into their growing practices.
These chemicals may be detrimental to consumers, farmers and the environment, according to Elan Organic’s website.
Because many coffee-producing farms are small, family-owned businesses in countries such as Peru, Guatemala and Colombia, volunteers for IWCA spend much of their time traveling to these parts of the world to educate and support farmers in organic practices and bring women into leadership roles, according to Swallow.
“Most countries that produce coffee are traditionally male-oriented societies,” Swallow said. “But once we start measuring these things, we can make a change.”
For more information about Elan Organic Coffees, visit www.elanorganic.com, or to purchase coffee through the Soroptimists call Karen Cebreros, (619) 889-1997.To learn more about IWCA, visit www.womenincoffee.org.