“70% of the world’s coffee is grown on small family farms, often in poor countries suffering civil war. Women tend to do a great deal of the work, but without getting enough in return to live an acceptable life. Grown by Women helps to improve the life chances of these women.”

Wilhelm Nordquist, Purchasing Director, Arvid Nordquist Coffee Roastery

We have seen a global awakening directed towards the equality of genders and a voice for women who do not have the capacity to speak up or have freedoms. We still have a road to forge and in the corner of coffee production we can support this awakening. We may see the career of a coffee grower and cultivator as one who is separated from the farm and travels into work. We can superimpose the knowledge of our culture onto others, as much of the work we know in the United States involves travel. However, many coffee farms are located in rural areas where the families live on the small farms and it is integrated into life. With that said, the women who traditionally raise the children are also working the plantations.

Developing healthy societies does not live separately from making woman “players” in the aspects of it. We know that gender racism does not benefit the group as a whole. The unspoken gender of women can aid greatly in the production and success of coffee. Through these blogs you may be seeing the power of your consumer decisions in many ways. We have touched topics like the health of soils, animals, ecosystems, the gut biome and now we will unveil how your coffee purchases can support women’s health and well being.

Unfortunately women are still being marginalized over work and often not paid at all. The good news is that there are foundations and organizations who have already opened the doors to equal rights farming. International Women’s Coffee Aliance (IWCA) and Arvid Nordquist are two labels you can keep your eyes out for (links below to see their mission statements and good work). You can also research the coffee that you love and find one that advocates these rights. If they do not mention this or do not support women’s rights, write to them. The power is in the consumers hands. Equal pay and healthcare are right on the top reasons why these organizations are valuable to support. Its a no brainer really and we can see more and more as we educate ourselves how many of our values pour right into our buying decisions.

Be smart, support the cause!

Womens coffee alliances:

Arvid Norquist: https://www.arvidnordquist.com/coffee/sustainability/grown-by-women/

IWCA: https://www.womenincoffee.org