Colombia - La Sierra

This is Jose from Finca La Hoya, one of the farms where this coffee was sourced from. Jose is part of a group of coffee growers known as the 'Viani farmers’. Comprising around seventy small scale producers they’re based around the town of La Sierra. 

The farms we buy this coffee from vary in size, some are as small as 2 hectares. We met Jose when we visited his 15 hectare farm in early 2024, learning about production and quality processes as well as the support Jose and the group receive through the Racafe Crecer project which is part funded by our purchasing contract.

In Cundinamarca the mighty Magdalena river travels along the valley floor, flowing to the lowest point of this beautiful mountainous region. There is an incredibly diverse climate here: Warm, temperate and cold conditions are found in close quarters, causing the coffee harvest to be spread throughout the year.

In Cundinamarca we’re working with Racafe; we took this picture at their collection centre in La Sierra. Above the door is a sign reading 'Compra de cafe, verde y seco': purchase of green and dry coffee (also referred to as parchment coffee). 

The collection centre in La Sierra is managed by Sr. Joseel who has been working with this community for around 20 years. Coffee is a cash business in these parts and Joseel’s local knowledge and experience helps him to operate safely.

Having local offices like this allows Racafe to build closer relationships with farmers and helps them to support these communities with projects like Crecer. To find out more about our sourcing in Cundinimarca and how the Crecer project supports small scale farmers you can read more in our journal.