PERU FT-FLO/USA ORGANIC APROCASSI

Sourcing Details

Peru's rich coffee culture is deeply rooted in cooperative structures, particularly for small farms.  A prime illustration is Asociación Provincial de Cafetaleros Solidarios San Ignacio (APROCASSI), with dedicated coffee producers located in the provinces of Jaén y San Ignacio in the department of Cajamarca.  These producers follow organic farm management practice attuned to their cultural connection with the land.  They typically cultivate coffee on just a few acres of land intercropped with shade trees, bananas, corn, and beans.

Processing Details

During the harvest, each producer practices selective picking with focus on picking only fully ripened cherries, which are then processed with the farms micro-mill.  At the mill, the cherries are macerated for up to 24 hours, and washed and floated to remove damaged and less dense coffee.  The selected cherries are then depulped, fermented, washed and gently dried and stored until it is time to prepare the coffee for export.

Cooperative Activities

APROCASSI invests in critical infrastructure, encompassing road enhancements, the establishment of local warehouses, and the meticulous preparation of coffee for export.  This coordinated effort ensures traceability and maintains quality control during the post-harvest phase.  APROCASSI goes the extra mile by providing comprehensive technical support to farmers.  This encompasses guidance starting with seed selection and extends to valuable assistance in navigating the certification process.  APROCASSI also invests in a project called Family Star, which provides training with focus on gender equality and shared economic decision making in the home.