Asociación de Caficultores y Agricultores de Sipacapa (ACAS) was founded in Guatemala in 2009 with the help of an international non-governmental organization. The ACAS group recognized the need for local economic opportunities that were alternatives to the dominant mining industry that was damaging the environment and human health in the country. The group is also committed to continually transitioning a larger percentage of its producers to organic production. 

Sipacapa coffee first appeared in our holiday coffee years ago. The quality of the coffee and overall production laid the groundwork for our ongoing partnership. 

Fewer than 300 producers make up ACAS, but membership is growing quickly thanks to interest among farmers in the area. The majority of the producers have less than 1 hectare of land and complete all processing and drying on their farm. Throughout the week, men and women bring parchment coffee into town where it is submitted to the association. In addition to its main office in Sipacapa proper, ACAS also rents a small warehouse there to store coffee before it is shipped to Guatemala City for final preparation before export. In 2021, the group broke ground on a new building that will serve as their primary warehouse and business office located on property they own, creating more space and eliminating the need to rent. ACAS is one of 15 secondary associations that delivers its coffee to the primary cooperative, Manos Campesinas. The years ahead will no doubt hold great growth and advancements in quality for Sipacapa.