Published March 2008
The Las Mingas Project of Colombia promotes relationship coffee, a new kind of partnership that brings growers and roasters together for direct discussion and exchange. Gimme! CEO Kevin Cuddeback visited the Las Mingas Project in person, and we're kicking off a new collaboration with farmers.
Transparent Process
Farmers gain bargaining power and receive fair prices in a transparent trading process. As a result of Kevin's first visit, Gimme! purchased 4 tons of small-farm coffee at a premium above the Fair Trade rate. As part of the agreement, we commit to selling the harvest under the Las Mingas name, helping to build the brand and reward farmers with proper recognition in the marketplace. Las Mingas farmers, in turn, use part of their premium earnings to improve their communities.
Fincas de Las Mingas
Located in Nariño, a state in western Colombia, the Las Mingas farms sit at about 6500 feet above sea level. Maria Santos is one of the Las Mingas growers who hosted Kevin during his stay. Her family farm commands stunning views:
"The Maria Santos farm is about 20 minutes off the main road, up a single-track driveway that winds up a slope, probably climbing 700 feet in elevation. Beyond the pasture is a panoramic view of the bounding highlands, easily 40 miles in the distance."
These “fincas” (farms) are only about 3 acres on average, often bounded by steep cliffs and natural waterfalls. The coffee itself is often shade-grown under a natural canopy of plantain, orange, and guamos trees.
Learning the Trade
The trip facilitators, Virmax Cafe and Castle & Company, have made it their mission to educate growers and roasters. Virmax helps farmers earn higher prices by teaching them how to raise the quality of their coffee. Specialty coffee earns higher prices, but it also requires more care in growing, picking, and processing. The farmers of the Las Mingas Project consult Virmax experts to learn how to improve every aspect of their crop.
By holding group cuppings, Virmax helps both growers and roasters to calibrate their quality standards. In Pasto, the state capital, Kevin cupped coffee with students from the villages around the Las Mingas farms. Virmax trains teenagers to be cuppers so that the younger generation can help improve the quality of the coffee — and the quality of life for their communities.
Clean, Sweet and Complex
After visiting the farms in person, Kevin was impressed:
"This is a group of farmers with the conditions and ability to produce fantastic coffee: clean, sweet, and complex."
We've finished our Las Mingas harvest with a medium roast so you get the nutmeg, apple, and caramelized molasses aromas. You can pick up a bag in our espresso bars or order online to have it shipped right to you.
Why Travel?
Each year, we send a few Gimme! staff members to visit farms that produce amazing coffee. By “traveling to origin” we learn about sustainable agriculture, experience farming first-hand, and cultivate relationships with growers. Sometimes we discover a fantastic new coffee along the way. We always return home with a deeper understanding of the people and ecosystems that fill our daily cup.
Learn more about Traveling to Origin.