Non-profit organisation True Roots International is holding its Coffee and Community Development Learning Tour of the Mexican coffee growing region La Mixteca Alta in November 2018 and January 2019.
“This tour is about going beyond just talking about issues at origin, to highlight initiatives focused on adapting and diversifying in an increasingly unviable industry. Our tours support these partners, showcase their efforts, and create connections with those truly committed to improving coffee farmer livelihoods and development at origin,” True Roots International Director Summer Lewis says.
The Coffee and Community Development Learning Tour gives participants the opportunity to meet smallholder farmers and see for themselves how coffee producing communities are organising in response to the diverse development challenges they face.
“The coffee value chain is a complex machine that provides opportunity, but also generates poverty and inequality,” True Roots International Programs Director José Luis Zárate says.
“We want to spur a direct dialogue among coffee producers and participants to create a more objective understanding about the reality in the fields that produce this valuable commodity.”
True Roots International says its tour leaders from those from local non-profit organisation Centro de Apoyo al Movimiento Popular Oaxaqueño allow participants to develop a broader understanding of the coffee industry, community development challenges, and ideas for action and connection.
The three-night, four-day tour fee is US$1300 (about $1800) per person, which includes accommodation, ground transport, food, and contributions to local non-profit partners and communities visited. Special pricing is available for groups of two or more.
The Coffee and Community Development Tour will take place 14 – 17 November, 2018, 16 – 19 January, 2019, and from 8 – 11 October, 2019.
For more information, visit www.truerootsinternational.org