BRAZIL - DONAS DO CAFE - NATURAL

SMC Specialty Coffees, headquartered in Guaxupé, Minas Gerais, was founded in 2009. The company collaborates closely with Cooxupé, Brazil's largest private cooperative established in 1957, to meticulously select the finest cupping lots from the coop's offerings. With 17,000 producing members, Cooxupé's lab cups an impressive 6,300 samples daily. Whenever cuppers identify a promising coffee, SMC seizes the opportunity to process the batch at their private mill, ensuring it receives the necessary attention to maintain its quality and integrity.

In addition to their partnership with Cooxupé, SMC directly engages with small family farmers in the specialty coffee sector, fostering transparent relationships between producers and exporters. They impart technical expertise to farmers to enhance production, document farm biographies, and implement projects and initiatives that create business opportunities for growers.

One notable initiative is SMC's "Donas do Café," which translates to "Ladies of Coffee." This program facilitates knowledge exchange to support women coffee producers in the region. Members of Donas do Café not only own their farms but also actively participate in decision-making processes such as farming practices, production, business management, and financial control. SMC recognizes that the prosperity of women in the community positively impacts the entire ecosystem. Through the initiative, women convene meetings to discuss coffee market trends, demands, news, and harvest techniques, led by an agronomist who ensures they stay abreast of the latest agricultural technologies.

Donas do Café lots consist of blends from various smaller producers, resulting in a sweet, clean coffee with vibrant acidity. Although the initiative began in 2020 and initially held online meetings due to the pandemic, it has since transitioned to successful in-person gatherings, fostering strong partnerships that empower women's growth in the industry.