Corona, the coffee bean and the life of coffee farmers in Colombia

Here in the Netherlands we suffer from the stress that corona brings. Being careful, keeping your distance and not touching anyone - it all kicks in. It gets under the skin. That is why we are so happy that we are getting a vaccination. And we are even happier that we will soon be able to start living again, now that the dangers of infection are diminishing!

We are all quietly looking forward to it. While enjoying a cup of (home) coffee. Because that is one advantage of corona: that we have all started drinking much better coffee at home. Hopefully we will hold on to that. But that's almost inevitable - once you've tasted quality, you don't want anything else.

But there is one thing I need to get off my chest. Namely: how little we actually know about life in coffee areas, and the dangers that exist in order to be able to deliver that great coffee bean. It seems as if we here in the Netherlands live in our own little bubble.

We hear almost nothing in the Netherlands about most coffee countries and their production problems. We don't talk about it either, because we have it so hard ourselves, do we actually pretend it doesn't exist?

Corona drama
Unfortunately, dramatic stories are playing out in the coffee production countries. Coffee beans are produced by farmers and pickers under very difficult conditions.

Throughout South America, the corona death is going around. The third or fourth wave has already started there. In Peru just during the height of the harvest period. The corona restrictions mean that supporters of the coffee farmers are no longer allowed to travel to the coffee farmers. That makes it difficult to produce very good quality beans.

Colombia
In Colombia, where our Kachalu coffee comes from, corona has also led to many victims. Worse; it has disrupted the whole of life in Colombia. From the beginning of the first lockdown, more than a year ago, many workers were immediately put on suspension. That means: sitting at home without pay. So how can you still buy food for your family and relatives? For many people with lower incomes in Colombia, and gradually also for the middle class, this is now a big problem. They suddenly can't buy groceries - let alone pay the rent, medical supplies and school fees. For coffee pickers, it is much more difficult to travel to coffee areas. Among the 24 coffee farmers of the Kachalu cooperative who produce the 84+ quality especially for Boot for an extra bonus, corona has also struck. One of them even died... Terribly sad news. In addition, the head of the cooperative has also had corona.

Protests
When Colombian right-wing President Duque announced additional taxes on food and a wide range of products, discontent erupted. A large number of groups - including youth groups, trade unions and even Indian tribes - united in a broad protest against the measures. Demonstrations have been taking place for weeks now in a variety of cities across Colombia. The mostly peaceful demonstrations are being suppressed in some cities with rock-hard police actions, resulting in a large number of deaths and missing and injured people. Right-wing death squad groups shoot at protesters and activists. When the measures were withdrawn because of the popular protest, the demonstrations did not stop. In many places in Colombia, the popular anger of low-income people can be felt. Many areas are also dotted with roadblocks.

We are lucky
Fortunately, the new crop of Colombia Kachalu 84 + organic had already been picked and was on its way to Boot when the flames burst. The best lots from the farmers were selected for Boot by the tasters from the cooperative and the FNC coffee farmers' organization. On the tasting table at Boot, this produced a very nice result of 85 points. Happiness through taste! Both for us as coffee drinkers and for the farmers, who are very happy with this payment improvement and want to expand their harvest quality. Producing good quality really does make for 'Happiness through Taste'. We drink the best coffee and the coffee farmer gets a better income.

Support
What can we do together to support Colombian coffee farmers, especially during this very difficult time? We asked the Coffee4Peace Colombia organization. and got the following answer: "The best sustainable support you can offer as a roaster and coffee drinker is to buy the coffee at sustainable prices. So in your case that means just continuing what you have already started."

So we are very pleased to announce that you are supporting the coffee farmers in Colombia, by buying our Colombia Kachalu organic coffee. This also applies to the Limited Colombia coffees from the Coffee for Peace range. An honest cup of coffee for everyone's happiness and health!


Owner Boot Koffie