03/18/2026
Our roaster, Zoe, recently got back from her trip with Cooperative Coffees to visit two coffee farmer coops in Guatemala: Asociación Chajulense Va’l Van Quyol (partners with Coop Coffees since 2006) and Manos Campesinas (partners with Coop Coffees since 2000).
While there, Zoe had the chance to meet with members of both cooperatives and discuss the current challenges of the industry, including how climate change continues to impact harvests, worker retention issues, and market fluctuations, as well as promising things on the horizon: new markets, new climate-resistant varietals, and cooperative growth. One thing is for certain, coffee goes through so many hands and so many people before it gets to your cup. Thank you to Asociación Chajulense, Manos Campesinas, and all of the farmers and folks throughout the supply chain that we met with for your hospitality and and continued partnership.
1. Cooperative Coffees members posing with Romy Pérez, General Manager of Asociación Chajulense, and Patty, their accountant, in front of their warehouse.
2. Micaela Santiago Velazco, a member of Asociación Chajulense, at her farm near Trapichitos, Guatemala.
3. Coffee drying beds at Micaela’s farm.
4. Cherries and coffee plants at Micaela’s farm.
5. Micaela and Balthazar Julian, a promoter for the local farms, sorting the coffee cherries.
6. Depulping coffee (removing the seed from the fruit)
7. Zoe and Romy enjoying a well-earned beer.
8. Romy and Bill Harris, founder of Cooperative Coffees.
9. Bags of green coffee at Asociación Chajulense’s warehouse.
10. The heads of Manos Campesinas: Carlos Reynoso, general manager, Evelyn García, project coordinator, and Miguel Mateo, commercial manager.
11. Antigua, Guatemala
