In the early 2000s, Peruvian coffee’s reputation centered more on large quantities than high quality. The cooperative Central Fronteriza Del Norte De Cafetaleros (CENFROCAFE), based in the northern Peruvian town of Jaén, made it their mission to change this reputation. When we first tasted CENFROCAFE’s coffee, it made a lasting impression—we knew we wanted to work with these producers for years to come.
We furthered our partnership with CENFROCAFE in 2007 by implementing a unique transparency contract, which focused our sourcing on five communities: Alto Ihuamaca, Bajo Ihuamaca, Unión Las Mercedes, Francisco Bolognesi, and Alto Bolognesi. For the first time, these producers were able to see who their coffees were being sold to, and for what price. When reminiscing on the inception of this project, one moment stands out: during a meeting with members of these communities, everyone in attendance collaborated and voted to name the coffee from the project "Valle del Santuario" after the national park that neighbors many of these communities’ farms. At that time, seeking producers’ input on how their coffee should be marketed was not only uncommon, it was unheard of.
Much has changed in the region since the start of our partnership with CENFROCAFE. The construction of a regional airport in Jaén and the return of Peru’s Cup of Excellence program brought many new coffee traders to the market, along with heightened competition. Through it all, CENFROCAFE’s experienced explosive growth, making them the largest cooperative in the country at one point. Recently, the cooperative renewed its commitment to quality, implementing a wide range of programs to support its members in the field. All of the effort on the cooperative’s part has helped maintain this coffee’s sweet and approachable flavor profile that drew us in all those years ago.
