Our new Fair Trade Organic Summer Symphony™ Blend has its origins in two classic South American coffee producers: Colombia, and Peru.

One of the origins of this year’s Fair Trade Organic summer seasonal is the Association of Farmers from the Alto Mayo Valley (or, APAVAM) who were recently recognized with the 2007 Peruvian Business of the Year award.

The prizes are awarded by the Business of the Year organization, a non-profit that strives to stimulate healthy competition among Peruvian businesses. APAVAM won the award for best coffee producer in the Alto Mayo region of San Martin, Peru (see: Google Map). The prize recognized APAVAM’s efforts to improve the quality and reputation of coffees from the region, as well as its solid business management.

Winning the award was a milestone in APAVAM’s history. Two years ago, the co-op separated from a government administered project for coffee cooperatives in Alto Mayo. This prize is the first time since the co-op left the government project that APAVAM has been recognized in the national sphere for its organizational strengths and quality coffee.

“The Impact of Fair Trade on our organization is large. We are observing the unification of our members through a fair market price. The unified farmers are finally happy, after so many years of struggle.” -- Heine Davila Ruiz, APAVAM President