Resources

Dissertation of Ernesto Mendez, 2004

Cooperatives and change: From revolution and agrarian reform to specialized coffee exporters in northern Nicaragua

The Promise and Failures of Fair Trade

In 2001, world coffee prices tumbled to all-time lows, devastating coffee-dependent farm families and their communities, in what became known as the global “coffee crisis.” Out of necessity, many farm families left their communities to find wage labor, while others cut down their coffee plants and shade trees in favor of cattle pasture. The integrity of coffee producing communities in México and Central America was strained by emigration, biodiversity was threatened by deforestation, and denuded and trampled hillsides started to wash away in the tropical rains.

This pdf offers UPDATED details of 12th Annual International Agroecology Shortcourse: Agroecology and the Transformation of Food Systems: The California Model.

This orientation guide provides you with helpful information about your internship in Quintana Roo. Learn more details about the field course, how to get to José María Morelos, your accommodations, cultural differences and the local weather. The guide also provides information about health insurance, communications, travel logistics, bus schedules, a packing list, fees and expenses, as well as scholarships and grants.

This report provides an overview and highlights of the 11th International Agroecology Shortcourse held in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, México, in July 2010.

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Schedule of community events for the 3rd Annual El Intercambio.

Press release: 2011 El Intercambio: Engage, Experience, Educate. 

A one-page description of the 12th Annual International Agroecology Shortcourse that will take place July 10-23, 2011 in Santa Cruz, California.

Application for Alternative Spring Break 2012

2 Unidad: Comprendiendo los meses de las vacas flacas

4 Unidad: Diversificación productiva y de los medios de vida campesina

This is the summary document (in Spanish) of a Food Security and Sovereignty Exchange and Forum that CAN organized for Green Mountain Coffee Roasting in Nicaragua this past summer. 

GMRC Annual Report: Year 1 (Jan 14-Dec 31, 2011).

Project vision:

To empower local youth leaders to develop school and community gardens as spaces of education and community capacity-building to promote a culture of healthy and sustainable food production, preparation, and consumption among local families.

Annual Report: Year Two: September 2010-December 2011.

Project goal:

The primary goal of this project is to work in partnership with PRODECOOP, the nineteen 1st level base cooperatives and CII-ASDENIC to build the capacity within the cooperatives and decrease hunger and enhance food security by building resilient food and agricultural systems.

English language version of the 13th International Agroecology Shortcourse announcement, including application information.

Please complete this form and return it with your deposit. If you have any questions, please email actioned@canunite.org.

Download this Word document. Please answer the questions and submit the completed form to: Estrellita Muñoz. Email no later than noon on December 7. 

If you have any questions, please contact Estrellita Muñoz.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In recent years, there has been growing discussion within the specialty coffee industry about the prevalence of seasonal food insecurity in coffee growing communities. The idea that coffee producers lack resources to feed themselves and their families flies in the face of Fair Trade and other sustainable coffee initiatives, which were designed to ensure a viable livelihood and improved conditions for small-scale coffee farmers around the world. Though these certifications represent an important step toward delivering better prices to farmers, they are inadequate tools to stand alone against the formidable and entrenched barriers faced by this population. Small-scale farmers are estimated to produce 70% of the world’s coffee supply (Eakin et al, 2009), within an industry supported by up to 25 million coffee producers. If you also include coffee harvesters, processors, and industry workers, the total is closer to 100 million people whose livelihoods depend on the crop in some way (Jha et al, 2011).

Several questions persist when considering the inter- section of coffee and food insecurity, including: why and how the issue has remained hidden for so long, what factors contribute to its pervasiveness, and what can be done to bring about its end. Missing from the dialogue is sufficient empirical evidence to clarify the causes and inform effective responses to this problem. The objectives of this policy brief are to summarize the existing knowledge of the extent and causes of food insecurity in smallholder coffee growing households, and to use this information to explore potential solutions.