ABOUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE

Farmers Cooperative Initiative was started in 1998 by Matti Foncha, Bill Harris, and Rob Kramer. They all shared a common belief that the Cameroon coffee farmers' financial needs were not being honestly and fairly appreciated.  Although this situation exists in many other countries throughout the coffee world, we felt we had a unique opportunity to make a difference in Cameroon.

Matti Foncha, son of the former Prime Minister of then Western Cameroon came to each of us with an idea to develop a model for coffee farmers in Cameroon.  If we could improve the quality control of the coffee by standardizing the farmers depulping, fermentation, and sorting processes we could command a greater price for the farmers coffee at market.  The coffee is already one of the finest we have ever cupped but has been erratic in the past.  We would develop the US market for Cameroon BOYO coffee and return to the farmers a fair market price.

Our first few years have been a test of our will and belief in our mission to effect a change in the lives of these farmers.  At no point did we ever expect to profit financially from our efforts and to date we have not been disappointed.  We continue to work within the system of Cameroon's customs, bureaucracy and organizations to affect honest change and fair consideration for the Cameroon BOYO coffee farmers.

When you buy Cameroon coffee you too are part of something that just might make a change for the better in the lives of these farmers and you are truly enjoying some of the finest coffee you may ever taste!