Brewing a Better Future for Coffee-Farming Families
Guest Blog Post Written By Food 4 Farmers
Coffee is more than just a daily ritual—it’s the livelihood of millions of families around the world. But for many coffee-farming communities, growing coffee alone isn’t enough to ensure food security or a stable income. That’s why Food 4 Farmers partners with coffee cooperatives in Latin America to help farming families grow their own nutritious food, diversify their incomes, and build more sustainable futures.
Every year, our friends at Propeller Coffee Co. support this work through their annual February campaign, fundraising through their online shop, in their cafes and donating $1 from every bag of Skyhawk blend sold to Food 4 Farmers. Thanks to this ongoing partnership and the support of coffee lovers like you, we’re able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of coffee-farming families.
How Your Support Makes an Impact
At Food 4 Farmers, we work alongside coffee-farming communities in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua to strengthen food security and create new opportunities for farmers and their families. Here are just a few ways this support is helping families build resilience:
At Food 4 Farmers, we work alongside coffee-farming communities in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua to strengthen food security and create new opportunities for farmers and their families. Here are just a few ways this support is helping families build resilience:
Beekeeping and Sustainable Livelihoods in Mexico
In Chiapas, Mexico, our beekeeping program helps coffee-farming families produce and sell honey, creating an additional source of income. Last year, beekeepers produced nearly 14,000 kilos of honey, despite challenges like labor shortages and overlapping coffee harvests. Our Api-School program also trained young community members in beekeeping, ensuring the next generation has the skills to continue this vital work.
In Chiapas, Mexico, our beekeeping program helps coffee-farming families produce and sell honey, creating an additional source of income. Last year, beekeepers produced nearly 14,000 kilos of honey, despite challenges like labor shortages and overlapping coffee harvests. Our Api-School program also trained young community members in beekeeping, ensuring the next generation has the skills to continue this vital work.
Growing Food and Community in Guatemala
In Huehuetenango, Guatemala, farming families are expanding their home gardens, learning agroecological techniques, and participating in local food exchanges. Last year, 30 women sold their homegrown produce to over 200 people in their communities, showing how small-scale agriculture can lead to better nutrition and economic opportunities.
In Huehuetenango, Guatemala, farming families are expanding their home gardens, learning agroecological techniques, and participating in local food exchanges. Last year, 30 women sold their homegrown produce to over 200 people in their communities, showing how small-scale agriculture can lead to better nutrition and economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, in Guatemala’s Maya Ixil communities, families are harvesting more fruit than ever, growing citrus and other crops to eat and sell. A new community leader has also joined our efforts to support sustainable farming practices and seed-saving initiatives.
Supporting Women Farmers in Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, our partnership with the SOPPEXCCA coffee cooperative continues to grow. Families are cultivating home gardens, and our women-run organic farmers’ market generated over $18,000 in sales last year—double the earnings from 2023! This market provides not only fresh food but also a reliable source of income for women in coffee-farming communities.
In Nicaragua, our partnership with the SOPPEXCCA coffee cooperative continues to grow. Families are cultivating home gardens, and our women-run organic farmers’ market generated over $18,000 in sales last year—double the earnings from 2023! This market provides not only fresh food but also a reliable source of income for women in coffee-farming communities.
Building a Sustainable Future in Colombia
In Colombia, we’re training community leaders to support farming families with sustainable food production techniques. Since 2019, more than 15,000 fruit and timber trees have been planted, helping families improve food security while also restoring local ecosystems.
In Colombia, we’re training community leaders to support farming families with sustainable food production techniques. Since 2019, more than 15,000 fruit and timber trees have been planted, helping families improve food security while also restoring local ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
As we move into another year, we remain committed to expanding food security efforts, engaging young people in sustainable agriculture, and growing our reforestation initiatives. Our new collaboration in Chiapas, Mexico, will introduce agroforestry practices to 100 coffee-farming families, helping them build resilience against environmental and economic challenges.
As we move into another year, we remain committed to expanding food security efforts, engaging young people in sustainable agriculture, and growing our reforestation initiatives. Our new collaboration in Chiapas, Mexico, will introduce agroforestry practices to 100 coffee-farming families, helping them build resilience against environmental and economic challenges.
By choosing Propeller Coffee Co.'s Skyhawk blend this February, you're playing a part in this important work. Your support helps coffee-farming families put food on the table, increase their incomes, and create a more sustainable future.
We’re grateful to Propeller Coffee Co. for making this campaign an annual tradition, and to all the coffee drinkers who make a difference—one cup at a time. Thank you for being part of this journey!