CHAR [decaf] _ Honduras

COCAFCAL (Cooperativa Capucas Limitada) is located in western Honduras, in the buffer zone of the Celaque National Park. This amazing nature reserve is a cloud forest containing the country’s highest mountain. The cooperative represents many coffee farming communities from the municipalities of San Pedro and Corquin, in Copan. Together, they work to promote the sustainable development of their local economy with coffee funds in order to receive financial, technical, productive and marketing services for members and families. Reducing poverty and increasing standards of life for their community are their main objectives. Their development programs have benefited approximately 5,000 people in Las Capucas and surrounding regions. Members are dedicated to growing sustainable conventional, organic and Fair Trade coffees.

COCAFCAL invested $1,000 in certification premiums in an environmental campaign to promote the maintenance of community spaces and reduce litter. The cooperative paid for the construction and installation of twenty garbage dumpsters close to local schools, churches, health clinics and grocery stores. Banners with environmental messages were also painted on the dumpsters. The cooperative coordinated presentations for school children on the proper handling of garbage, cleaning and community space stewardship. COCAFCAL also organized a film festival to screen environmental movies and organized a skit where the main character, the “Lorax,” teaches the audience principles of conservation and environmental stewardship.