ACODIHUE Manos de Mujer FT

ACODIHUE is located in Huehuetenango, a renowned coffee-growing region in western Guatemala. It was founded in 1996 following several development projects in the area, led by the European Union, which helped organize farmers into associations.

Today, 80% of ACODIHUE’s coffee is produced by Indigenous women in the mountainous Cuchumatanes region of Huehuetenango. Many of these women are widows or have husbands who have migrated to the United States. In Guatemala, it is common for women to remain behind to care for the land and raise their children.

ACODIHUE has implemented initiatives to reduce poverty and food insecurity in local communities and actively promotes inclusivity, diversity, and the well-being of its members. The cooperative also focuses on supporting children, youth, and women through various empowerment programs.

ACODIHUE operates in six municipalities of Huehuetenango: San Antonio Huista, Unión Cantinil, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, San Pedro Necta, Santa Ana Huista, and Jacaltenango.

All members of ACODIHUE are small-scale producers of coffee, honey, corn, potatoes, peanuts, and hibiscus flowers. Many also raise birds and sheep.

The coffee Café con Manos de Mujer is grown at an average altitude of 1,625 meters above sea level. Only 22% of ACODIHUE’s annual coffee production is designated as Manos de Mujer, representing a carefully selected lot. The women who grow this coffee participate in empowerment programs led by ACODIHUE to develop leadership skills, self-esteem, and confidence.

ACODIHUE utilizes shade-grown methods, which contribute to biodiversity and soil health, while also enhancing the flavor profile of the coffee.​

Coffee is grown at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,900 meters above sea level, conditions that are conducive to producing high-quality beans. 

After harvesting, coffee cherries undergo a washed processing method. This involves depulping the cherries to remove the outer skin, fermenting them to eliminate the mucilage, and then washing them thoroughly. Following washing, the coffee beans are dried under the sun.

These cultivation and processing methods reflect ACODIHUE's commitment to sustainable practices and the production of high-quality coffee.

Sustainable Harvest® is a specialty coffee trader focusing primarily on bringing coffees to market that are sourced from smallholder farmer cooperatives in the supply chain such as indigenous communities, women groups and the next generation of coffee farmers.

Their sourcing model is built on transparency, traceability and direct relationships between quality-minded coff­ee roasters and best-in-class coffee producers. Sustainable Harvest® has an on-site presence at origin with staff­ in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Peru. Each office coordinates their supply including quality management, supplier relationships, source development, logistics, training and capacity building.