Description

Estrella Polar Organic – Guatemala

In the northwest reaches of Guatemala is the region of Ixil Quiché, and the location of a unique pocket of coffee producers. The Cooperativa Integral Agricola Estrella Polar was founded here in February of 2013 thanks to the support of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Coffee Producers of Guatemala. When the organization was first initiated, there were only 32 members including 4 women. Today, it has grown to encompass 248 members, 62 of which are women, and 22 of them are younger than 29. It is these amazing producers that grew the coffee for this specific lot.

The cooperative itself has its own office and warehouse but works with a collection of communities: ldea Estrella Polar, Aldea Xaxmoxan, Aldea El Mirador, Aldea Santa Clara, and Aldea Amachel, in Chajul, El Quiché. Each of the producers contributing cherry to this lot care deeply about quality and maintaining organic certification.

This region is mountainous which means it can be difficult to navigate the rugged terrain when delivering coffee. Infrastructure is one of the challenges producers face in Ixil Quiché, especially when accessing warehouses. Transportation costs are thus increased in addition to production costs.