 | | | | | High in the mountains of Costa Rica, some of the world’s best coffee is grown, in harmony with nature. Coopesanta Elena, in the Monteverde region, is made up of 75 small coffee producers who are committed to growing their crops in environmentally friendly ways. |  | Our history: Coopesanta Elena was founded in 1971. Until the end of the 1980s almost all of the members were milk producers but some of the members began showing an interest in developing other activities. Between 1983 and 1984, a project known as “Diversificación Integral de Santa Elena”, was developed in the zone and as a result of the study, three more productive activities were started: vegetables, coffee, and crafts (artisans). | |  | |  | | | The co-operative exports 60% of its coffee to the international Fair Trade market, but also roasts Café Monteverde and sells it locally to the supermarkets, hotels and the growing number of tourists who visit Monteverde. | |  | | | The production of vegetables was promoted with state resources and the organization of small, local producers. The artisans emerged as an initiative of women (CASEM) who subsequently joined as a division of Coopesanta Elena. The coffee producers also chose the co-operative organization and requested that Coopesanta Elena provide the services of technical assistance, cultivating and selling their coffee. In 1988, the department of coffee was created. In 1989 the co-operative began a partnership with Montana Coffee Traders, a company in Whitefish, Montana, USA. The owner of this company, RC Beall, had made a trip to Monteverde and was captivated by the special character of the community, and its coffee. Since then, a strong business relationship and friendship has developed between Coopesanta Elena and Montana Coffee Traders. | | | Our co-op: Coopesanta Elena currently has 55 associates, 42 of whom are coffee producers. On average, each producer has about 1.5 hectare of coffee. The co-operative offers coffee processing and roasting facilities, a supermarket, and credit options for its members. | |
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