farmer ownership
From Price Takers to Price Setters
Building a more sustainable future for farmers
Pachamama’s founders came together with a vision to revolutionize the coffee industry: to empower farmers to be more than commodity producers. Today, they retain 100% ownership and governance through the cooperative business model. Our owners are Cocla in Peru, Prodecoop in Nicaragua, Manos Campesinas in Guatemala, La Union Regional in Mexico and Ocfcu in Ethiopia. They elect a representative on the Board of Directors with one vote for each cooperative that owns Pachamama Coffee.
This business model changes the narrative for coffee farmers, they set their own prices for coffee and all profits made from the business are allocated back to the cooperatives, turning coffee farmers from price takers to price setters.
Truly Seed to cup
In founding Pachamama Coffee, farmers connect directly with coffee consumers across the US, delivering profits back to origin for the first time. Through ownership and governance, coffee farmers are able to build equity and sustainability into the supply chain, leading to financial independence instead of reliance.
Speciality Coffee Association News
Vertical Integration in the Coffee Supply Chain
"At Pachamama, the farmers have control of the pricing, and it happens in the boardroom. Tremain believes, “If you claim to represent the farmer there should be farmers in your board room. If you are selling to empower farmers, you should have them represented.”
Carlos Reynoso
VP of Pachamama Coffee & GM of Manos Campesinas
“Our dream is to put a face to the roasted coffee, more than just being commodity producers.The difference is that we own the entire process from production to consumers, from seed to cup. We also bring more benefits to the producers and have proven that’s possible. In the beginning it was hard to believe because it was in a different country, different language, and culture. Little by little it was possible and here we are.”
owner cooperatives
meet the board of directors
Each cooperative that comprises Pachamama elects one representative to serve on the Pachamama board of directors to lead the company's decision making process and ensure true representation for the small scale coffee farmers.
Why Co-ops?
Social Impact
Governed by the people they serve, cooperatives keep money in the community and prioritze funding for the economic, social and cultural needs of the people. Hear from farmer owner Alexa Marin about some of the gender equity programs that Prodecoop in Nicaragua implements for its members.
A Virtuous Cycle
Better Coffee Every Harvest
It all begins with you. When you choose to deal directly with farmers, you empower their communities by making them the owners of the finished product and a valuable brand. This simple switch can turn a negative into a positive for farmers, fueling a virtuous circle that provides profits and sustainability on the farm, in turn leading to better coffee for you every harvest.