We are excited to share updates from our recent journey to Guatemala, where four members of our team—Jenny, Charlsie, Beth and Brendan (pictured above, left to right)—had the opportunity to visit our longstanding partners at the Asociación Barillense de Agricultores (ASOBAGRI) cooperative.
Why do we make these trips? Because real relationships matter. For over three decades, we’ve believed great coffee starts with great partnerships. There’s no substitute for sitting down with farmers, sharing a meal, walking their fields, and hearing firsthand about their lives. 
Since 2001, we've been honored to work alongside ASOBAGRI, an industrious cooperative that has grown to include over 1,001 organic coffee producers across 80 communities in Huehuetenango and El Quiché. Our coffees are purchased from a lot called Los Jovenes (young people). Profits from these coffees are reinvested into youth projects like agroforestry and entrepreneurship training designed to support the next generation of coffee farmers (ages 18-30) and preserve their indigenous heritage.
Visiting our partners goes beyond sourcing green coffee — it’s about strengthening the bonds that make our coffee truly fair. We learn how climate change, shifting markets, and local conditions are impacting farmers and their families. By working closely together, we develop creative solutions to support sustainable livelihoods, help farmers adapt to changing conditions, and build thriving communities for the long term.
During our visit, we were inspired by ASOBAGRI’s latest endeavor: the creation of an organic composting facility, the Agro Center of Bio Fertilizers. This innovative project harnesses the power of vermicomposting—using worms to turn organic matter into nutrient-dense fertilizer. The fertilizer is sold at cost to the cooperative’s farmers, supporting the health of their coffee plants but also helping ensure that organic farming remains both affordable and sustainable for their members.
We left Guatemala feeling energized and inspired, understanding that every cup of ASOBAGRI’s coffee reflects the strength, forward vision, and resilience of its farmers. The farmers’ dedication is clear in every step of the process, from cultivation to harvest. Each cup of ASOBAGRI coffee is a tangible result of this ongoing, collective effort.
Every time you choose our Guatemalan coffees, know that each cup contributes to the farmers’ well-being and the environment. Together, we continue to brew great coffee and create real change. Cheers!