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Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative

PRODECOOP, Nicaragua

Photo and profile provided
by TransFair USA

Based in the Segovia region of northern Nicaragua, PRODECOOP (Promotora de Desarollo Cooperativo de Las Segovias) now includes 40 cooperatives and 2,318 families. It was established in 1993 to provide its member families with assistance in sustainable production and the marketing of their coffee.

From sales to the Fair Trade market, PRODECOOP supports many social and quality control programs, including:

• A scholarship program that has provided dozens of scholarships to members’ children so that they can attend primary and secondary school. PRODECOOP has also been able to provide books and backpacks for over 2,000 students.
• An organic production program aimed at improving the quality of coffee through environmentally-friendly production techniques.
• The development of female participation. Membership includes 504 women with several women in senior management, including the CEO.
• The purchase of a dry mill, establishment of 13 maintenance facilities for depulping machines, and three storage facilities for its coffee.
• A revolving fund for building and improving members’ houses.

“With Fair Trade income we have made improvements to our community. Before, we slept on the ground and did not have basic amenities. Now some of us have floors, some furniture, sanitary services, and potable water. If we sold all of our production at Fair Trade prices our dreams would come true.”

—Alexa Marin Colindres, PRODECOOP member

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