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The El Pinal is a fair trade coffee co-op. The co-op started in 1980. Before the organization began the farmers each worked the land for a land owner. Slowly, the organization began buying the land. This land is now distributed amongst the farmers who have joined the cooperative; each family is also given some extra land to grow other necessities, such as vegetables. To join the co-op the family or individual must work with the co-op for one year showing that they have a commitment to the organization and show their good conduct, as well, as a good work ethic. Currently there are 31 families in the co-op.
The typical coffee farmer works from 7am till 3pm. The harvest season is from November till February. The cooperative often has between 250-300 people working for them. There are times when they will hire someone who isn’t a member of the cooperative. El Pinal currently pays their farmers $1.00 for a 20 pound basket of coffee. The coffee farmers located around them, who are not practicing fair trade, pay their farmers $.60 for a 20 pound basket of coffee.
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The president of the cooperative, Padro Lopez, is very proud of what their organization has been able to accomplish for farmers: fair wages, promoting equality amongst men and women, treating employees fair, and growing a safe, healthy product. The cooperative believes in working together to create a good harvest. If a member becomes ill the other members help that family out. They also refrain from using any pesticides.
Equal Exchange is their largest buyer. The coffee from this cooperative can be purchased on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus through a student run organization called La Pulperia Nica. For more information on coffee in general, fair trade values, and where you can purchase coffee please visit Equal Exchange’s website.