A Blueprint to End Hunger in the Coffeelands

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surveyed 469 households in Mexico, Nicaragua, growing counterparts in Africa and Asia. These UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM El Salvador, and Guatemala found that 63% of findings from Mexico and Central America coffee households suffered food insecurity further reveal the need for comparable research during the year (Méndez, 2010). These figures in other coffee growing regions to better assess are troubling, especially in a region that tends the global situation. Hunger and Food Africa suffers the highest rates of hunger in the to enjoy better food security than its coffee- world with roughly one quarter of the population Insecurity: A Global being malnourished (FAO, 2013). Studies Problem from Central America have revealed that a significant percentage of farmers experience food insecurity at some point during the harvest production cycle each year. For example, a Hunger and food insecurity constitute a 6-year study that surveyed 177 smallholders in complex global development dilemma, as it is Nicaragua found that 69% of them were unable estimated that 842 million people suffer from to meet their nutritional needs throughout the chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2013). year (Bacon, 2008). Similarly, a study that While food security has numerous definitions, in the context of this paper it can be understood as the dilemma that households face when they experience the inability to access a nutritious diet in terms of both quality and quantity. While it is widely believed that hunger is a result of a globally insufficient food supply, the problem is actually a product of poverty and inequality. As studies have noted, the world produces ample food to feed everyone a sufficient diet (Caswell, 2012; Kremen et al., 2012).

The existing empirical studies that examine hunger and food security specifically among coffee-growers are heavily concentrated in Latin America, although it is undoubtedly an urgent and perhaps more worrisome issue among growers in Africa and Asia where poverty tends to be more extreme and social safety nets are less available. For example, Sub-Saharan

How Coffee-Growing forced to choose between food and a roof over risks outlined above, to ones fundamentally poor governance, poor access to and/or quality means that smallholders and laborers regularly imagine the setbacks that result from a chronically Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). For Pueblo a Pueblo, and the Coffee Trust. their heads. In Latin America, rural dwellers ingrained in the environments where coffee is of education, and restricted access to finance, suffer nutrition-related illnesses, which leads malnourished workforce. In addition, the community development, a wide variety of While eliminating hunger from coffee regions Households Experience have termed these periods of food scarcity “los grown. Virtually all coffee producing countries all of which play a fundamental role in preventing to lowered productivity in the fields and higher onset of climate change is expected to disrupt stakeholders have become engaged in supporting will require long term work and significant livelihoods diversification projects, which most changes, (Caswell, 2012), the following recom- meses flacos,” which translates to “the thin suffer from “institutional voids,” gaps in rural smallholders from advancing out of household expenditure on personal healthcare. both coffee harvests and subsistence agriculture, Hunger mendations provide immediate and actionable Given that coffee production is a physically which will exacerbate the food insecurity unless often include the provision of technical assistance months.” market ecosystems that prevent businesses from poverty. for subsistence cropping and food storage, as steps appropriate for all industry stakeholders demanding endeavor, it is not difficult to industry stakeholders take action. thriving. These voids often include major gaps well as finding income generating market to get involved in taking a stand against hunger. It is challenging to identify a single cause of The recommendations are taken from the Hunger and malnutrition in coffee growing in infrastructure, weak legislative systems and opportunities for new products. Some of the hunger among coffee growing communities non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that publication, “Food Security and Smallholder regions are seasonal crises that typically occur Coffee Production: Current Issues and Future since farmers suffer from multiple layers of have launched such food security projects during the rainy season, the food planting FRAMING SOLUTIONS include Coffee Kids, Save the Children, Catholic Directions,” which were documented by Caswell, vulnerability that contribute to food insecurity. season, or the early months of the harvest THIS PROBLEM IMPACTS THE WHOLE Relief Services, Food4Farmers, Heifer Inter- et al., 2012. Each of the following In addition to surviving with scarce income, season (Caswell, 2012). Since most coffee national, Mercy Corps, CII-ASDENIC, the recommendations includes a case example to coffee farmers live at the mercy of coffee price growing households receive only one annual SPECIALTY COFFEE INDUSTRY Community Agroecology Network (CAN), illustrate its effectiveness on the ground. fluctuations in the global market, and thus feel Food insecurity in coffee-growing regions is a paycheck for their crop, they face the difficulty an immediate and severe impact on their livelihoods complicated issue that requires integrated of distributing that lump sum throughout the when prices plummet. Additionally, farmers multi-stakeholder driven solutions aimed at following year to meet all of their household ence growth stunting, a condition that prevents face enormous agricultural risks to their creating structural change (Caswell et al., needs until the next harvest. Additionally, the them from ever reaching their full height 2012). Achieving this change will require coffee harvest, including unfavorable weather income that farmers earn from coffee is often potential as adults. Malnourished children also additional empirical research to develop an conditions, pests, and disease outbreaks. less than most farmers’ annual spending needs. grow up with lowered reasoning ability and enhanced understanding of the problem, food consumed in the household (Bacon, Unfortunately, this is true even among farmers perceptual-spatial functioning skills (Whaley, particularly in African and Asian coffee growing Providing Farmers with 2008). These farmers tend to produce only Given the risks of relying solely on coffee to who receive a price premium for fair trade or et. al., 2003; Grantham-McGregor, 1995). communities that have been largely neglected Adequate Support and staple beans and maize, which is not enough to provide income for the entire household, feed the household throughout the year. Two organic certifications (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, They also tend to have poorer school grades from the research process thus far. The issue of farmers tend to employ the practice of subsistence poor food security among coffee farmers has, Technical Assistance to themes are important here. First, technical 2010; Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). than their well-nourished peers, are less attentive, assistance and access to sustainable inputs is agriculture on their land, meaning they grow however, steadily increased in visibility over Farmers are often pressured to make difficult and can be unresponsive to play behavior. Maximize Food Production recent years in Latin America, much of which important to reduce the risk of crop loss and other crops primarily for household consumption increase yields of the substance crops. Second, household purchasing decisions among critical is thanks to research and awareness-raising Potential and Attain that complement their coffee production. The negative impact of malnutrition does not stop when farmers plant more fruit trees (Bacon et basic needs as they are forced to decide to efforts spearheaded by Green Mountain Coffee However, the additional food production is with the individual as it also takes a devastating The existing hunger-related research promotes Balanced Nutrition al., forthcoming) or diversify their subsistence spend on shelter, food, or the farm investments Roasters. In the wake of compelling evidence of solutions to ending hunger in the coffeelands often not sufficient to hedge against the risks to toll on community welfare. High rates of cropping through growing vegetables in addition required for the next year’s harvest. They also widespread food insecurity, multiple organizations based on improved trade relationships, the coffee harvest or last the full 12 months of malnutrition translate into educational losses to beans and corn, they are likely to be less face debt, education and healthcare expenses. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of have risen to the challenge of fighting hunger increased investment, and creative community sensitive to the thin months and enjoy a more the year, and it is rarely enough to support in learning and school performance, lowered Organizations that have launched projects In the face of such income scarcity, spending death and disease among children worldwide by launching projects that not only address development projects (Bacon, 2008). In terms nutritionally balanced diet throughout the year. families through “the thin months,” even when work productivity, and higher health costs (The targeting alternative livelihood strategies have on food is often compromised, and farmers (Pelletier, 1994) and is responsible for compromising various components of the issue, but also of relationships, fair trade and direct trade (Morris, 2013) In addition to diversifying coffee yields and prices are favorable (Bacon et World Bank, 2006). This means that in coffee provide channels for coffee professionals to get focused on helping small-scale farmers diversify consistently face a situation where they can no both physical and cognitive development models have generated several important benefits crops, farming households can significantly al., 2008; Morris et al., 2013). among affected individuals. Achieving adequate growing communities, farmers, pickers, and involved in driving positive outcomes. These their farming to grow additional food for benefit from technical improvements in food longer afford to feed their families regular, and they continue to evolve, however they have The vulnerabilities affecting coffee farmers also nutrition is especially critical during early their children miss out on reaching their full include CoffeeKids, Catholic Relief Services, not yet proven to be capable of eliminating family consumption. In Central America, most storage techniques. Post harvest crop loss is a healthy meals. In extreme situations, coffee coffee farmers already reserve land for subsistence extend beyond the economic and agricultural childhood, as children who do not receive education potential, a recipe for entrenching Food4Farmers, Pueblo a Pueblo, and StC poverty and hunger from affecting coffee- significant challenge and can initially be producing families run out of savings and are enough calories or sufficient nutrients experi- farm families in generational poverty. It also among others. growers (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, 2010; agriculture and produce close to half of the addressed through modest investment.

trees. A robust corps of parent volunteers TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: generously supports the project, which has reached more than 1,000 primary school students, who often tell their teachers that what they like most about school is the time they puebloapueblo.org/programs/ spend in the school gardens. organic-school-gardens

not already exist. Livelihoods diversification The 2013 SCAA Sustainability Award Winner, the curriculum and life of the school community. Supporting Livelihood As an additional income opportunity for coffee- opportunity for smallholders or even landless projects have paid special attention to training Pueblo a Pueblo, is one of many NGOs Parents participated as well by clearing rocks, growing families, beekeeping represents a coffee laborers. In addition, beekeeping Diversification So That coffee-growers in beekeeping and animal husbandry, implementing rural food security solutions trees, and brush to place vegetable beds, promising alternative livelihoods strategy to requires less time and financial investment the products from which farmers can then sell within the specialty coffee industry. Pueblo a composting bins and rainwater and trash Coffee Growers Have to local markets. survive through “the thin months” of seasonal than most comparable agricultural endeavors. Pueblo maintains a geographic focus in Latin collection bins in each school. In 2013, Multiple Sources of hunger. The NGO, Food 4 Farmers provides Its products can be sold locally or internationally, America, primarily in coffee growing mountain students used more than 58 pounds of organically useful information to prospective beekeepers and exported alongside coffee. regions of Guatemala. grown produce in their school lunches. Income and Food Other through its community of practice – Cafe y Miel – to directly support coffee co-operatives Beekeeping has strong potential for coffee Three years ago, many of the children who The garden initiative’s dedication to creating a Than Coffee farmers to hedge against risk, as honey prices attended schools in rural villages near Santiago healthy school community and sharing knowledge and other growers’ organizations in Latin Atitlan were surviving on one meal a day. Their is changing lives. The garden curriculum is America with information, connections, tend to be more stable than coffee prices, bees are less susceptible to climate change than is parents, many of whom work on coffee farms, fully integrated into the school day and teaches The term livelihoods can be broadly understood resources, and real-time support to help them had lost the ability to grow their own food. students how their choices about food affect as a concept key to our survival that “comprises launch commercial beekeeping operations. coffee, and the trade in bee-products provides As a response, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters their health, the environment, and their people, their capabilities, and their means of several items that can be marketed as food or funded Pueblo a Pueblo’s first pilot garden in communities. In addition to a vacation garden living, including food, income, and assets” Honeybees tend to thrive in coffee-growing health-related articles. the rural community of Panabaj. After the Cole camp program for students, the Organic (Chambers and Conway, 1991). Diversifying regions, as coffee farms characteristically contain Family Foundation generously donated a half School Gardens hosts a teacher training program subsistence food production for household an extensive variety of plants, offering excellent acre of unused land, Pueblo a Pueblo coordinated for educators from municipal schools around consumption, as highlighted in Recommendation habitat and pollination opportunities. Coffee clearing the area, hiring a project tecnico, the area who want to begin or further develop food #1, represents one important strategy for supporting flowers produce sugary, high quality nectar, and TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: installing irrigation and introducing the first security and garden education programs in coffee livelihoods. Finding alternative sources bees actually improve coffee berry ripening, group of students into the garden for a hands- their schools. of income represents another. This typically on learning experience. size and uniformity with their cross-pollination. takes the form of finding market opportunities http://food4farmers.org/ Today, the school gardens are thriving in 6 for new products, for example, selling excess Unlike rearing typical farm animals, beekeeping The organic school garden quickly expanded to schools and growing more than 38 varieties of food staples or vegetable produce to local farmers’ does not require much land or land ownership, our-projects/beekeeping-in-lat- multiple schools and became a tool for enriching seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit markets or creating local markets when they do making the trade a more versatile income in-america/

help of The Coffee Trust, and traveled from TO WATCH THE FILM OR LEARN Mexico to Nicaragua interviewing smallholders MORE ABOUT After the Harvest, throughout the journey. The film brings the day-to-day challenges of the thin months to life VISIT: in the voices of coffee farmers themselves, and shares the successes of creative projects that The problem of food insecurity in the coffee- The availability of robust and reliable data Increasing Awareness and have been established to eliminate this annual http://aftertheharvestorg.blog- Encouraging and lands will not advance if the issue remains covering the dynamics of hunger among coffee period of food insecurity. After the Harvest spot.com/ Initiatives to Address Food unknown throughout the industry. Awareness growers is critical to ensuring the effectiveness premiered in 2011 at the SCAA’s annual conference, Supporting Research raising efforts have made progress over the last OR Insecurity in Coffee Regions The Event. The film has proven a fantastic That Contributes Timely and credibility of food security interventions. decade, but the momentum must continue. YouTube: http://www.you- resource to draw global industry attention to The current research, which completely focuses Within the Coffee Industry tube.com/watch?v=WbLlqle7mBw Currently, coffee industry actors have primarily the issue. Empirical Evidence on smallholders in Mesoamerica, provides a taken initiative through organizing corporate good basis for understanding the problem. Coffee leaf rust, or is a notorious fungus social responsibility projects and investing in roya, However, additional research is needed both to in the coffee industry that has recently had a suppliers, creating more direct and supportive shed light on the problem in other coffee- devastating impact on Central American coffee growing regions, understand changes over trade relationships between suppliers and farms, threatening the livelihoods and food time, and also to better expose and interpret buyers, and funding NGO-partners to implement security of smallholders who are most vulnera- the relationship between coffee-growing and producer-strengthening projects. The more ble to begin with. attention that is paid to these endeavors, the Developing Multi- food insecurity. better for all industry stakeholders. Stakeholder, Long-Term In response, Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers launched a multi-stakeholder disaster relief Organizations leading food security projects Initiatives effort, developing tools and training material coffee leaf rust includes the input from expert within coffee communities should develop to bring best practices to the rural coffee sector groups including Anacafe, Cenicafe, Comsa, El systems for measuring baseline data (meaning to better manage the disease. Sustainable Harvest Valle, IHCAFE and FNC. the food security situation prior to intervention), Creating long-term, sustainable solutions to also built a website, royarecoveryproject.org, along with the impact of their intervention the food security dilemma will require the buy providing an integrative platform for educating (meaning quantifying project outputs over in of all industry stakeholders. This includes coffee suppliers and other supply chain actors time). Independent university research that is through pertinent information, tools, and first and foremost, coffee growers, laborers, eventually published in peer-reviewed journals discussion. In addition, Sustainable Harvest and producer organizations (cooperative offers the highest standard. It is especially hosted two “Let’s Talk Roya” events in Central groups). Interventions must also include active helpful if these evaluative measures include America in 2013, providing active opportunities TO LEARN MORE ABOUT The Roya participation from coffee actors on the demand comparison groups that are unaffected by the for discussion, training, and building solutions Recovery Project OR TO GET intervention. While such research will require side of the supply chain, who can play a very among multiple stakeholders. INVOLVED, VISIT: significant investment, the pay off from ensuring After the Harvest: Fighting Hunger in the the Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in influential role based on their position in the that the implemented solutions are effective in Coffeelands is a short film created to educate 2007, which highlighted the severity of the trade relationship. Finally, local, national, and Early donors to the Roya Recovery Project creating change is worthwhile. the coffee industry on the issue of hunger and food security problem during “the thin international governments and NGOs, plus include Café Moto, Café Mystique, Green food security within the coffee supply chain. months.” In response, Optic Nerve Productions other relevant community groups have a critical Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Progreso. http://www.royarecoveryproj- The film was provoked by a study published by took up the filmmaking project with funding role in driving positive outcomes. The toolkit to assist farmers in combatting ect.org/

The aforementioned studies represent the body Mesoamerica and have played a key role in of research that has been collected to date on informing food security interventions. To food insecurity among coffee growers. These learn more, please see the recommended studies have demonstrated that hunger is a pressing reading and works cited at the end of this document. Summary of Studies that have Generated Empirical Data on Food issue for a majority of coffee growers in Coffee Farmer Welfare in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Guatemala After the Harvest (Video) 2011. (Available from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbLlqle7mBw) Insecurity in Coffee Regions Author: S. Fujisaka. Publisher/research sponsor: CIAT. Year: 2007. http://www.slideshare.net/AfterTheHarvestorg/ciat-07-final-project-report-7206907 Bacon, CM, Méndez, VE, Flores Gomez, MA, Stuart, D, Díaz Flores, SR. 2008. Are Sustainable Coffee Certifi- cations Enough to Secure Farmer Livelihoods? The Millennium Development Goals and Nicaragua’s Fair Trade Cooperatives 5(2): 259-274. A Brief Understanding of Hunger and its Resolution Author: D. Giovannucci. Publisher: COSA. Year: 2009 Beuchelt, TD, Zeller, M. 2011. Profits and poverty: Certification’s troubled link for Nicaragua’s organic and http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1549043 The Specialty Coffee Industry is uniquely placed to take a stance against hunger and food insecurity fairtrade coffee producers. Ecological Economics 70(7): 1316-1324. among coffee-growing households.

Caswell, Martha, Méndez, VE, Bacon, CM. 2012. Food Security and Smallholder Coffee Production: Current Colombia Coffee Sector Study Issues and Future Directions. The University of Vermont. Agroecology & Rural Livelihoods Group Policy Brief # Author: D. Giovannucci et al. Publisher/research sponsor: World Bank. Year: 2002 1: 1-12. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=996138

Chambers, R. and G.R. Conway. 1991. Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practical concepts for the twenty-first Effects of Fair Trade and Organic Certifications on Small-scale Coffee Farmer House- century. Institute for Development Studies, IDS Discussion Paper 296, December. holds in Central America and Mexico Authors: V.E. Mendez et al. Publisher: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (volume 25, issue 3). Cravioto, Joaquín, Licardie, Elsa R.D. The Effect of Malnutrition on the Individual. (Available at: http://mit- press.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/content/9780262520348_sch_0001.pdf) (Accessed on 26 December Year: 2010. 2013). http://www.uvm.edu/~agroecol/MendezVEEtAl_EffectsFT&OrganicCoffeeHouseholdsMesoamerica_10.pdf

FAO. 2013. The State of Food Security in the World. (Available at: http://www.fao.org/docre- Food Security and Smallholder Coffee Production: Current Issues and Future Directions p/018/i3458e/i3458e.pdf) (Accessed on 27 December 2013). Authors: M. Caswell, V.E. Méndez and C. Bacon. Publisher: Agroecology and Rural Livelihoods

Group, University of Vermont. Year: 2012. Fujisaka, S. 2007. Coffee farmer welfare in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Guatemala. Final Research Report. International http://www.uvm.edu/~agroecol/CaswellEtAl_FoodSecurityCoffeeARLG%20pb1_12.pdf Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR).

Grantham-McGregor, S. A review of studies of the effect of severe malnutrition on mental development. The Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125; 2233S-2238S.

Kanyamurwa, JM, Wamala, S, Baryamutuma, R, Kabwama, E, Loewenson, R. 2013. Differential returns from globalization to women smallholder coffee and food producers in rural Uganda. African Health Sciences. 13(3): 829-841.

Kremen, C., A. Iles, and C. Bacon. 2012. Diversiﬁed farming systems: an agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture. Ecology and Society 17(4): 44.

Méndez, VE, Bacon, CM, Olson, M, Petchers, S, Herrador, D, Carranza, C, et al. 2010a. Effects of Fair Trade and organic certiﬁcations on small-scale coffee farmer households in Central America and Mexico. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 25(3): 236-251.

Morris, KS, VE Mendez, & MB Olson. 2013. ‘Los meses ﬂacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative. Journal of Peasant Studies 40(2): 423-446.

Pelletier DL et al. 1994. A methodology for estimating the contribution of malnutrition to child mortality in developing countries. Journal of Nutrition 124: 2106-2122.

The World Bank. 2006. Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large Scale Action, Washing- ton DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.

Whaley, Shannon E., Marian Sigman, Charlotte Neumann, Nimrod Bwibo, Donald Guthrie, Robert E. Weiss, Susan Alber, and Suzanne P. Murphy. The Impact of Dietary Intervention on the Cognitive Development of Kenyan School Children. The Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133: 3965S-3971S. surveyed 469 households in Mexico, Nicaragua, growing counterparts in Africa and Asia. These UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM El Salvador, and Guatemala found that 63% of findings from Mexico and Central America coffee households suffered food insecurity further reveal the need for comparable research during the year (Méndez, 2010). These figures in other coffee growing regions to better assess are troubling, especially in a region that tends the global situation. HUNGER has no place in our industry and yet it takes Hunger and Food Africa suffers the highest rates of hunger in the to enjoy better food security than its coffee- world with roughly one quarter of the population an enormous toll on the world’s coffee-growers. Such Insecurity: A Global being malnourished (FAO, 2013). Studies food insecurity among our coffee-producing partners Problem from Central America have revealed that a significant percentage of farmers experience is inconsistent with our industry’s commitment to sustainable food insecurity at some point during the harvest livelihoods and strongly contradicts our desire to ensure production cycle each year. For example, a Hunger and food insecurity constitute a 6-year study that surveyed 177 smallholders in the long-term success of the specialty coffee industry for complex global development dilemma, as it is Nicaragua found that 69% of them were unable estimated that 842 million people suffer from to meet their nutritional needs throughout the future generations. While hunger and lack of food security chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2013). year (Bacon, 2008). Similarly, a study that are highly complicated issues that warrant further research, While food security has numerous definitions, in the context of this paper it can be understood producer-led feedback, and fundamental structural changes, as the dilemma that households face when they there are immediate opportunities for all stakeholders in experience the inability to access a nutritious diet in terms of both quality and quantity. the specialty coffee industry to get involved and take action While it is widely believed that hunger is a to help end hunger in the coffeelands. result of a globally insufficient food supply, the problem is actually a product of poverty and inequality. As studies have noted, the world This paper, developed by the SCAA Sustainability Council, produces ample food to feed everyone a sufficient diet (Caswell, 2012; Kremen et provides an overview of hunger and food insecurity al., 2012).

in the specialty coffee industry and outlines recommendations The existing empirical studies that examine for solving the problem with the participation of hunger and food security specifically among coffee-growers are heavily concentrated in all industry partners. Latin America, although it is undoubtedly an urgent and perhaps more worrisome issue among growers in Africa and Asia where poverty tends to be more extreme and social safety nets are less available. For example, Sub-Saharan

2 SCAA.ORG/SUSTAINABILITY

not already exist. Livelihoods diversification The 2013 SCAA Sustainability Award Winner, the curriculum and life of the school community. Supporting Livelihood As an additional income opportunity for coffee- opportunity for smallholders or even landless projects have paid special attention to training Pueblo a Pueblo, is one of many NGOs Parents participated as well by clearing rocks, growing families, beekeeping represents a coffee laborers. In addition, beekeeping Diversification So That coffee-growers in beekeeping and animal husbandry, implementing rural food security solutions trees, and brush to place vegetable beds, promising alternative livelihoods strategy to requires less time and financial investment the products from which farmers can then sell within the specialty coffee industry. Pueblo a composting bins and rainwater and trash Coffee Growers Have to local markets. survive through “the thin months” of seasonal than most comparable agricultural endeavors. Pueblo maintains a geographic focus in Latin collection bins in each school. In 2013, Multiple Sources of hunger. The NGO, Food 4 Farmers provides Its products can be sold locally or internationally, America, primarily in coffee growing mountain students used more than 58 pounds of organically useful information to prospective beekeepers and exported alongside coffee. regions of Guatemala. grown produce in their school lunches. Income and Food Other through its community of practice – Cafe y Miel – to directly support coffee co-operatives Beekeeping has strong potential for coffee Three years ago, many of the children who The garden initiative’s dedication to creating a Than Coffee attended schools in rural villages near Santiago healthy school community and sharing knowledge and other growers’ organizations in Latin farmers to hedge against risk, as honey prices Atitlan were surviving on one meal a day. Their is changing lives. The garden curriculum is America with information, connections, tend to be more stable than coffee prices, bees are less susceptible to climate change than is parents, many of whom work on coffee farms, fully integrated into the school day and teaches The term livelihoods can be broadly understood resources, and real-time support to help them had lost the ability to grow their own food. students how their choices about food affect as a concept key to our survival that “comprises launch commercial beekeeping operations. coffee, and the trade in bee-products provides As a response, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters their health, the environment, and their people, their capabilities, and their means of several items that can be marketed as food or funded Pueblo a Pueblo’s first pilot garden in communities. In addition to a vacation garden living, including food, income, and assets” Honeybees tend to thrive in coffee-growing health-related articles. the rural community of Panabaj. After the Cole camp program for students, the Organic (Chambers and Conway, 1991). Diversifying regions, as coffee farms characteristically contain Family Foundation generously donated a half School Gardens hosts a teacher training program subsistence food production for household an extensive variety of plants, offering excellent acre of unused land, Pueblo a Pueblo coordinated for educators from municipal schools around consumption, as highlighted in Recommendation habitat and pollination opportunities. Coffee clearing the area, hiring a project tecnico, the area who want to begin or further develop food #1, represents one important strategy for supporting flowers produce sugary, high quality nectar, and TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: installing irrigation and introducing the first security and garden education programs in coffee livelihoods. Finding alternative sources bees actually improve coffee berry ripening, group of students into the garden for a hands- their schools. of income represents another. This typically on learning experience. size and uniformity with their cross-pollination. takes the form of finding market opportunities http://food4farmers.org/ Today, the school gardens are thriving in 6 for new products, for example, selling excess Unlike rearing typical farm animals, beekeeping The organic school garden quickly expanded to schools and growing more than 38 varieties of food staples or vegetable produce to local farmers’ does not require much land or land ownership, our-projects/beekeeping-in-lat- multiple schools and became a tool for enriching seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit markets or creating local markets when they do making the trade a more versatile income in-america/

Grantham-McGregor, S. A review of studies of the effect of severe malnutrition on mental development. The Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125; 2233S-2238S.

Kremen, C., A. Iles, and C. Bacon. 2012. Diversiﬁed farming systems: an agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture. Ecology and Society 17(4): 44.

Morris, KS, VE Mendez, & MB Olson. 2013. ‘Los meses ﬂacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative. Journal of Peasant Studies 40(2): 423-446.

Pelletier DL et al. 1994. A methodology for estimating the contribution of malnutrition to child mortality in developing countries. Journal of Nutrition 124: 2106-2122.

The World Bank. 2006. Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large Scale Action, Washing- ton DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.

Whaley, Shannon E., Marian Sigman, Charlotte Neumann, Nimrod Bwibo, Donald Guthrie, Robert E. Weiss, Susan Alber, and Suzanne P. Murphy. The Impact of Dietary Intervention on the Cognitive Development of Kenyan School Children. The Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133: 3965S-3971S. surveyed 469 households in Mexico, Nicaragua, growing counterparts in Africa and Asia. These UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM El Salvador, and Guatemala found that 63% of findings from Mexico and Central America coffee households suffered food insecurity further reveal the need for comparable research during the year (Méndez, 2010). These figures in other coffee growing regions to better assess are troubling, especially in a region that tends the global situation. Hunger and Food Africa suffers the highest rates of hunger in the to enjoy better food security than its coffee- world with roughly one quarter of the population Insecurity: A Global being malnourished (FAO, 2013). Studies Problem from Central America have revealed that a significant percentage of farmers experience food insecurity at some point during the harvest production cycle each year. For example, a Hunger and food insecurity constitute a 6-year study that surveyed 177 smallholders in complex global development dilemma, as it is Nicaragua found that 69% of them were unable estimated that 842 million people suffer from to meet their nutritional needs throughout the chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2013). year (Bacon, 2008). Similarly, a study that While food security has numerous definitions, in the context of this paper it can be understood as the dilemma that households face when they experience the inability to access a nutritious diet in terms of both quality and quantity. While it is widely believed that hunger is a result of a globally insufficient food supply, the problem is actually a product of poverty and inequality. As studies have noted, the world produces ample food to feed everyone a sufficient diet (Caswell, 2012; Kremen et al., 2012).

The existing empirical studies that examine hunger and food security specifically among coffee-growers are heavily concentrated in Latin America, although it is undoubtedly an urgent and perhaps more worrisome issue among growers in Africa and Asia where poverty 1/8 OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION tends to be more extreme and social safety nets SUFFERS FROM CHRONIC HUNGER are less available. For example, Sub-Saharan

not already exist. Livelihoods diversification The 2013 SCAA Sustainability Award Winner, the curriculum and life of the school community. Supporting Livelihood As an additional income opportunity for coffee- opportunity for smallholders or even landless projects have paid special attention to training Pueblo a Pueblo, is one of many NGOs Parents participated as well by clearing rocks, growing families, beekeeping represents a coffee laborers. In addition, beekeeping Diversification So That coffee-growers in beekeeping and animal husbandry, implementing rural food security solutions trees, and brush to place vegetable beds, promising alternative livelihoods strategy to requires less time and financial investment the products from which farmers can then sell within the specialty coffee industry. Pueblo a composting bins and rainwater and trash Coffee Growers Have to local markets. survive through “the thin months” of seasonal than most comparable agricultural endeavors. Pueblo maintains a geographic focus in Latin collection bins in each school. In 2013, Multiple Sources of hunger. The NGO, Food 4 Farmers provides Its products can be sold locally or internationally, America, primarily in coffee growing mountain students used more than 58 pounds of organically useful information to prospective beekeepers and exported alongside coffee. regions of Guatemala. grown produce in their school lunches. Income and Food Other through its community of practice – Cafe y Miel – to directly support coffee co-operatives Beekeeping has strong potential for coffee Three years ago, many of the children who The garden initiative’s dedication to creating a Than Coffee attended schools in rural villages near Santiago healthy school community and sharing knowledge and other growers’ organizations in Latin farmers to hedge against risk, as honey prices Atitlan were surviving on one meal a day. Their is changing lives. The garden curriculum is America with information, connections, tend to be more stable than coffee prices, bees are less susceptible to climate change than is parents, many of whom work on coffee farms, fully integrated into the school day and teaches The term livelihoods can be broadly understood resources, and real-time support to help them had lost the ability to grow their own food. students how their choices about food affect as a concept key to our survival that “comprises launch commercial beekeeping operations. coffee, and the trade in bee-products provides As a response, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters their health, the environment, and their people, their capabilities, and their means of several items that can be marketed as food or funded Pueblo a Pueblo’s first pilot garden in communities. In addition to a vacation garden living, including food, income, and assets” Honeybees tend to thrive in coffee-growing health-related articles. the rural community of Panabaj. After the Cole camp program for students, the Organic (Chambers and Conway, 1991). Diversifying regions, as coffee farms characteristically contain Family Foundation generously donated a half School Gardens hosts a teacher training program subsistence food production for household an extensive variety of plants, offering excellent acre of unused land, Pueblo a Pueblo coordinated for educators from municipal schools around consumption, as highlighted in Recommendation habitat and pollination opportunities. Coffee clearing the area, hiring a project tecnico, the area who want to begin or further develop food #1, represents one important strategy for supporting flowers produce sugary, high quality nectar, and TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: installing irrigation and introducing the first security and garden education programs in coffee livelihoods. Finding alternative sources bees actually improve coffee berry ripening, group of students into the garden for a hands- their schools. of income represents another. This typically on learning experience. size and uniformity with their cross-pollination. takes the form of finding market opportunities http://food4farmers.org/ Today, the school gardens are thriving in 6 for new products, for example, selling excess Unlike rearing typical farm animals, beekeeping The organic school garden quickly expanded to schools and growing more than 38 varieties of food staples or vegetable produce to local farmers’ does not require much land or land ownership, our-projects/beekeeping-in-lat- multiple schools and became a tool for enriching seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit markets or creating local markets when they do making the trade a more versatile income in-america/

Grantham-McGregor, S. A review of studies of the effect of severe malnutrition on mental development. The Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125; 2233S-2238S.

Kremen, C., A. Iles, and C. Bacon. 2012. Diversiﬁed farming systems: an agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture. Ecology and Society 17(4): 44.

Morris, KS, VE Mendez, & MB Olson. 2013. ‘Los meses ﬂacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative. Journal of Peasant Studies 40(2): 423-446.

Pelletier DL et al. 1994. A methodology for estimating the contribution of malnutrition to child mortality in developing countries. Journal of Nutrition 124: 2106-2122.

The World Bank. 2006. Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large Scale Action, Washing- ton DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.

Whaley, Shannon E., Marian Sigman, Charlotte Neumann, Nimrod Bwibo, Donald Guthrie, Robert E. Weiss, Susan Alber, and Suzanne P. Murphy. The Impact of Dietary Intervention on the Cognitive Development of Kenyan School Children. The Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133: 3965S-3971S. surveyed 469 households in Mexico, Nicaragua, growing counterparts in Africa and Asia. These UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM El Salvador, and Guatemala found that 63% of findings from Mexico and Central America coffee households suffered food insecurity further reveal the need for comparable research during the year (Méndez, 2010). These figures in other coffee growing regions to better assess are troubling, especially in a region that tends the global situation. Hunger and Food Africa suffers the highest rates of hunger in the to enjoy better food security than its coffee- world with roughly one quarter of the population Insecurity: A Global being malnourished (FAO, 2013). Studies from Central America have revealed that a Problem PERCENTAGE OF COFFEE GROWING HOUSEHOLDS THAT significant percentage of farmers experience SUFFER FOOD INSECURITY food insecurity at some point during the harvest DURING THE YEAR production cycle each year. For example, a Hunger and food insecurity constitute a 6-year study that surveyed 177 smallholders in complex global development dilemma, as it is Nicaragua found that 69% of them were unable estimated that 842 million people suffer from to meet their nutritional needs throughout the chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2013). year (Bacon, 2008). Similarly, a study that While food security has numerous definitions, in the context of this paper it can be understood as the dilemma that households face when they experience the inability to access a nutritious diet in terms of both quality and quantity. While it is widely believed that hunger is a result of a globally insufficient food supply, the problem is actually a product of poverty and inequality. As studies have noted, the world produces ample food to feed everyone a sufficient diet (Caswell, 2012; Kremen et al., 2012).

How Coffee-Growing forced to choose between food and a roof over risks outlined above, to ones fundamentally poor governance, poor access to and/or quality means that smallholders and laborers regularly imagine the setbacks that result from a chronically Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). For Pueblo a Pueblo, and the Coffee Trust. their heads. In Latin America, rural dwellers ingrained in the environments where coffee is of education, and restricted access to finance, suffer nutrition-related illnesses, which leads malnourished workforce. In addition, the community development, a wide variety of While eliminating hunger from coffee regions Households Experience have termed these periods of food scarcity “los grown. Virtually all coffee producing countries all of which play a fundamental role in preventing to lowered productivity in the fields and higher onset of climate change is expected to disrupt stakeholders have become engaged in supporting will require long term work and significant livelihoods diversification projects, which most changes, (Caswell, 2012), the following recom- meses flacos,” which translates to “the thin suffer from “institutional voids,” gaps in rural smallholders from advancing out of household expenditure on personal healthcare. both coffee harvests and subsistence agriculture, Hunger often include the provision of technical assistance mendations provide immediate and actionable months.” Given that coffee production is a physically which will exacerbate the food insecurity unless market ecosystems that prevent businesses from poverty. for subsistence cropping and food storage, as steps appropriate for all industry stakeholders demanding endeavor, it is not difficult to industry stakeholders take action. thriving. These voids often include major gaps well as finding income generating market to get involved in taking a stand against hunger. It is challenging to identify a single cause of in infrastructure, weak legislative systems and The recommendations are taken from the Hunger and malnutrition in coffee growing opportunities for new products. Some of the hunger among coffee growing communities non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that publication, “Food Security and Smallholder regions are seasonal crises that typically occur Coffee Production: Current Issues and Future since farmers suffer from multiple layers of have launched such food security projects during the rainy season, the food planting FRAMING SOLUTIONS include Coffee Kids, Save the Children, Catholic Directions,” which were documented by Caswell, vulnerability that contribute to food insecurity. season, or the early months of the harvest THIS PROBLEM IMPACTS THE WHOLE Relief Services, Food4Farmers, Heifer Inter- et al., 2012. Each of the following In addition to surviving with scarce income, season (Caswell, 2012). Since most coffee national, Mercy Corps, CII-ASDENIC, the recommendations includes a case example to coffee farmers live at the mercy of coffee price growing households receive only one annual SPECIALTY COFFEE INDUSTRY Community Agroecology Network (CAN), illustrate its effectiveness on the ground. fluctuations in the global market, and thus feel Food insecurity in coffee-growing regions is a paycheck for their crop, they face the difficulty an immediate and severe impact on their livelihoods complicated issue that requires integrated of distributing that lump sum throughout the when prices plummet. Additionally, farmers multi-stakeholder driven solutions aimed at following year to meet all of their household ence growth stunting, a condition that prevents face enormous agricultural risks to their creating structural change (Caswell et al., needs until the next harvest. Additionally, the them from ever reaching their full height 2012). Achieving this change will require coffee harvest, including unfavorable weather income that farmers earn from coffee is often potential as adults. Malnourished children also additional empirical research to develop an conditions, pests, and disease outbreaks. less than most farmers’ annual spending needs. grow up with lowered reasoning ability and enhanced understanding of the problem, food consumed in the household (Bacon, Unfortunately, this is true even among farmers perceptual-spatial functioning skills (Whaley, particularly in African and Asian coffee growing Providing Farmers with 2008). These farmers tend to produce only Given the risks of relying solely on coffee to who receive a price premium for fair trade or et. al., 2003; Grantham-McGregor, 1995). communities that have been largely neglected Adequate Support and staple beans and maize, which is not enough to provide income for the entire household, feed the household throughout the year. Two organic certifications (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, They also tend to have poorer school grades from the research process thus far. The issue of farmers tend to employ the practice of subsistence poor food security among coffee farmers has, Technical Assistance to themes are important here. First, technical 2010; Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). than their well-nourished peers, are less attentive, assistance and access to sustainable inputs is agriculture on their land, meaning they grow however, steadily increased in visibility over Farmers are often pressured to make difficult and can be unresponsive to play behavior. Maximize Food Production recent years in Latin America, much of which important to reduce the risk of crop loss and other crops primarily for household consumption increase yields of the substance crops. Second, household purchasing decisions among critical is thanks to research and awareness-raising Potential and Attain that complement their coffee production. The negative impact of malnutrition does not stop when farmers plant more fruit trees (Bacon et basic needs as they are forced to decide to efforts spearheaded by Green Mountain Coffee However, the additional food production is with the individual as it also takes a devastating The existing hunger-related research promotes Balanced Nutrition al., forthcoming) or diversify their subsistence spend on shelter, food, or the farm investments Roasters. In the wake of compelling evidence of solutions to ending hunger in the coffeelands often not sufficient to hedge against the risks to toll on community welfare. High rates of cropping through growing vegetables in addition required for the next year’s harvest. They also widespread food insecurity, multiple organizations based on improved trade relationships, the coffee harvest or last the full 12 months of malnutrition translate into educational losses to beans and corn, they are likely to be less face debt, education and healthcare expenses. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of have risen to the challenge of fighting hunger increased investment, and creative community sensitive to the thin months and enjoy a more the year, and it is rarely enough to support in learning and school performance, lowered Organizations that have launched projects In the face of such income scarcity, spending death and disease among children worldwide by launching projects that not only address development projects (Bacon, 2008). In terms nutritionally balanced diet throughout the year. families through “the thin months,” even when work productivity, and higher health costs (The targeting alternative livelihood strategies have on food is often compromised, and farmers (Pelletier, 1994) and is responsible for compromising various components of the issue, but also of relationships, fair trade and direct trade (Morris, 2013) In addition to diversifying coffee yields and prices are favorable (Bacon et World Bank, 2006). This means that in coffee provide channels for coffee professionals to get focused on helping small-scale farmers diversify consistently face a situation where they can no both physical and cognitive development models have generated several important benefits crops, farming households can significantly al., 2008; Morris et al., 2013). among affected individuals. Achieving adequate growing communities, farmers, pickers, and involved in driving positive outcomes. These their farming to grow additional food for benefit from technical improvements in food longer afford to feed their families regular, and they continue to evolve, however they have The vulnerabilities affecting coffee farmers also nutrition is especially critical during early their children miss out on reaching their full include CoffeeKids, Catholic Relief Services, not yet proven to be capable of eliminating family consumption. In Central America, most storage techniques. Post harvest crop loss is a healthy meals. In extreme situations, coffee coffee farmers already reserve land for subsistence extend beyond the economic and agricultural childhood, as children who do not receive education potential, a recipe for entrenching Food4Farmers, Pueblo a Pueblo, and StC poverty and hunger from affecting coffee- significant challenge and can initially be producing families run out of savings and are enough calories or sufficient nutrients experi- farm families in generational poverty. It also among others. growers (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, 2010; agriculture and produce close to half of the addressed through modest investment.

not already exist. Livelihoods diversification The 2013 SCAA Sustainability Award Winner, the curriculum and life of the school community. Supporting Livelihood As an additional income opportunity for coffee- opportunity for smallholders or even landless projects have paid special attention to training Pueblo a Pueblo, is one of many NGOs Parents participated as well by clearing rocks, growing families, beekeeping represents a coffee laborers. In addition, beekeeping Diversification So That coffee-growers in beekeeping and animal husbandry, implementing rural food security solutions trees, and brush to place vegetable beds, promising alternative livelihoods strategy to requires less time and financial investment the products from which farmers can then sell within the specialty coffee industry. Pueblo a composting bins and rainwater and trash Coffee Growers Have to local markets. survive through “the thin months” of seasonal than most comparable agricultural endeavors. Pueblo maintains a geographic focus in Latin collection bins in each school. In 2013, Multiple Sources of hunger. The NGO, Food 4 Farmers provides Its products can be sold locally or internationally, America, primarily in coffee growing mountain students used more than 58 pounds of organically useful information to prospective beekeepers and exported alongside coffee. regions of Guatemala. grown produce in their school lunches. Income and Food Other through its community of practice – Cafe y Miel – to directly support coffee co-operatives Beekeeping has strong potential for coffee Three years ago, many of the children who The garden initiative’s dedication to creating a Than Coffee attended schools in rural villages near Santiago healthy school community and sharing knowledge and other growers’ organizations in Latin farmers to hedge against risk, as honey prices Atitlan were surviving on one meal a day. Their is changing lives. The garden curriculum is America with information, connections, tend to be more stable than coffee prices, bees are less susceptible to climate change than is parents, many of whom work on coffee farms, fully integrated into the school day and teaches The term livelihoods can be broadly understood resources, and real-time support to help them had lost the ability to grow their own food. students how their choices about food affect as a concept key to our survival that “comprises launch commercial beekeeping operations. coffee, and the trade in bee-products provides As a response, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters their health, the environment, and their people, their capabilities, and their means of several items that can be marketed as food or funded Pueblo a Pueblo’s first pilot garden in communities. In addition to a vacation garden living, including food, income, and assets” Honeybees tend to thrive in coffee-growing health-related articles. the rural community of Panabaj. After the Cole camp program for students, the Organic (Chambers and Conway, 1991). Diversifying regions, as coffee farms characteristically contain Family Foundation generously donated a half School Gardens hosts a teacher training program subsistence food production for household an extensive variety of plants, offering excellent acre of unused land, Pueblo a Pueblo coordinated for educators from municipal schools around consumption, as highlighted in Recommendation habitat and pollination opportunities. Coffee clearing the area, hiring a project tecnico, the area who want to begin or further develop food #1, represents one important strategy for supporting flowers produce sugary, high quality nectar, and TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: installing irrigation and introducing the first security and garden education programs in coffee livelihoods. Finding alternative sources bees actually improve coffee berry ripening, group of students into the garden for a hands- their schools. of income represents another. This typically on learning experience. size and uniformity with their cross-pollination. takes the form of finding market opportunities http://food4farmers.org/ Today, the school gardens are thriving in 6 for new products, for example, selling excess Unlike rearing typical farm animals, beekeeping The organic school garden quickly expanded to schools and growing more than 38 varieties of food staples or vegetable produce to local farmers’ does not require much land or land ownership, our-projects/beekeeping-in-lat- multiple schools and became a tool for enriching seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit markets or creating local markets when they do making the trade a more versatile income in-america/

Grantham-McGregor, S. A review of studies of the effect of severe malnutrition on mental development. The Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125; 2233S-2238S.

Kremen, C., A. Iles, and C. Bacon. 2012. Diversiﬁed farming systems: an agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture. Ecology and Society 17(4): 44.

Morris, KS, VE Mendez, & MB Olson. 2013. ‘Los meses ﬂacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative. Journal of Peasant Studies 40(2): 423-446.

Pelletier DL et al. 1994. A methodology for estimating the contribution of malnutrition to child mortality in developing countries. Journal of Nutrition 124: 2106-2122.

The World Bank. 2006. Repositioning Nutrition as Central to Development: A Strategy for Large Scale Action, Washing- ton DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.

Whaley, Shannon E., Marian Sigman, Charlotte Neumann, Nimrod Bwibo, Donald Guthrie, Robert E. Weiss, Susan Alber, and Suzanne P. Murphy. The Impact of Dietary Intervention on the Cognitive Development of Kenyan School Children. The Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133: 3965S-3971S. surveyed 469 households in Mexico, Nicaragua, growing counterparts in Africa and Asia. These UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM El Salvador, and Guatemala found that 63% of findings from Mexico and Central America coffee households suffered food insecurity further reveal the need for comparable research during the year (Méndez, 2010). These figures in other coffee growing regions to better assess are troubling, especially in a region that tends the global situation. Hunger and Food Africa suffers the highest rates of hunger in the to enjoy better food security than its coffee- world with roughly one quarter of the population Insecurity: A Global being malnourished (FAO, 2013). Studies Problem from Central America have revealed that a significant percentage of farmers experience food insecurity at some point during the harvest production cycle each year. For example, a Hunger and food insecurity constitute a 6-year study that surveyed 177 smallholders in complex global development dilemma, as it is Nicaragua found that 69% of them were unable estimated that 842 million people suffer from to meet their nutritional needs throughout the chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2013). year (Bacon, 2008). Similarly, a study that While food security has numerous definitions, in the context of this paper it can be understood as the dilemma that households face when they experience the inability to access a nutritious diet in terms of both quality and quantity. While it is widely believed that hunger is a result of a globally insufficient food supply, the problem is actually a product of poverty and inequality. As studies have noted, the world produces ample food to feed everyone a sufficient diet (Caswell, 2012; Kremen et al., 2012).

How Coffee-Growing forced to choose between food and a roof over risks outlined above, to ones fundamentally poor governance, poor access to and/or quality means that smallholders and laborers regularly imagine the setbacks that result from a chronically Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). For Pueblo a Pueblo, and the Coffee Trust. their heads. In Latin America, rural dwellers ingrained in the environments where coffee is of education, and restricted access to finance, suffer nutrition-related illnesses, which leads malnourished workforce. In addition, the community development, a wide variety of While eliminating hunger from coffee regions Households Experience have termed these periods of food scarcity “los grown. Virtually all coffee producing countries all of which play a fundamental role in preventing to lowered productivity in the fields and higher onset of climate change is expected to disrupt stakeholders have become engaged in supporting will require long term work and significant livelihoods diversification projects, which most changes, (Caswell, 2012), the following recom- meses flacos,” which translates to “the thin suffer from “institutional voids,” gaps in rural smallholders from advancing out of household expenditure on personal healthcare. both coffee harvests and subsistence agriculture, Hunger often include the provision of technical assistance mendations provide immediate and actionable market ecosystems that prevent businesses from poverty. Given that coffee production is a physically which will exacerbate the food insecurity unless months.” for subsistence cropping and food storage, as steps appropriate for all industry stakeholders demanding endeavor, it is not difficult to industry stakeholders take action. thriving. These voids often include major gaps well as finding income generating market to get involved in taking a stand against hunger. It is challenging to identify a single cause of in infrastructure, weak legislative systems and The recommendations are taken from the Hunger and malnutrition in coffee growing opportunities for new products. Some of the hunger among coffee growing communities non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that publication, “Food Security and Smallholder regions are seasonal crises that typically occur Coffee Production: Current Issues and Future since farmers suffer from multiple layers of have launched such food security projects during the rainy season, the food planting FRAMING SOLUTIONS include Coffee Kids, Save the Children, Catholic Directions,” which were documented by Caswell, vulnerability that contribute to food insecurity. season, or the early months of the harvest THIS PROBLEM IMPACTS THE WHOLE Relief Services, Food4Farmers, Heifer Inter- et al., 2012. Each of the following In addition to surviving with scarce income, season (Caswell, 2012). Since most coffee national, Mercy Corps, CII-ASDENIC, the recommendations includes a case example to coffee farmers live at the mercy of coffee price growing households receive only one annual SPECIALTY COFFEE INDUSTRY Community Agroecology Network (CAN), illustrate its effectiveness on the ground. fluctuations in the global market, and thus feel Food insecurity in coffee-growing regions is a paycheck for their crop, they face the difficulty an immediate and severe impact on their livelihoods complicated issue that requires integrated of distributing that lump sum throughout the when prices plummet. Additionally, farmers multi-stakeholder driven solutions aimed at following year to meet all of their household ence growth stunting, a condition that prevents face enormous agricultural risks to their creating structural change (Caswell et al., needs until the next harvest. Additionally, the them from ever reaching their full height 2012). Achieving this change will require coffee harvest, including unfavorable weather income that farmers earn from coffee is often potential as adults. Malnourished children also additional empirical research to develop an conditions, pests, and disease outbreaks. less than most farmers’ annual spending needs. grow up with lowered reasoning ability and enhanced understanding of the problem, food consumed in the household (Bacon, Unfortunately, this is true even among farmers perceptual-spatial functioning skills (Whaley, particularly in African and Asian coffee growing Providing Farmers with 2008). These farmers tend to produce only Given the risks of relying solely on coffee to who receive a price premium for fair trade or et. al., 2003; Grantham-McGregor, 1995). communities that have been largely neglected Adequate Support and staple beans and maize, which is not enough to provide income for the entire household, feed the household throughout the year. Two organic certifications (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, They also tend to have poorer school grades from the research process thus far. The issue of farmers tend to employ the practice of subsistence poor food security among coffee farmers has, Technical Assistance to themes are important here. First, technical 2010; Beauchelt, 2011; Beauchelt, 2012). than their well-nourished peers, are less attentive, assistance and access to sustainable inputs is agriculture on their land, meaning they grow however, steadily increased in visibility over Farmers are often pressured to make difficult and can be unresponsive to play behavior. Maximize Food Production recent years in Latin America, much of which important to reduce the risk of crop loss and other crops primarily for household consumption increase yields of the substance crops. Second, household purchasing decisions among critical is thanks to research and awareness-raising Potential and Attain that complement their coffee production. The negative impact of malnutrition does not stop when farmers plant more fruit trees (Bacon et basic needs as they are forced to decide to efforts spearheaded by Green Mountain Coffee However, the additional food production is with the individual as it also takes a devastating The existing hunger-related research promotes Balanced Nutrition al., forthcoming) or diversify their subsistence spend on shelter, food, or the farm investments Roasters. In the wake of compelling evidence of solutions to ending hunger in the coffeelands often not sufficient to hedge against the risks to toll on community welfare. High rates of cropping through growing vegetables in addition required for the next year’s harvest. They also widespread food insecurity, multiple organizations based on improved trade relationships, the coffee harvest or last the full 12 months of malnutrition translate into educational losses to beans and corn, they are likely to be less face debt, education and healthcare expenses. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of have risen to the challenge of fighting hunger increased investment, and creative community sensitive to the thin months and enjoy a more the year, and it is rarely enough to support in learning and school performance, lowered Organizations that have launched projects In the face of such income scarcity, spending death and disease among children worldwide by launching projects that not only address development projects (Bacon, 2008). In terms nutritionally balanced diet throughout the year. families through “the thin months,” even when work productivity, and higher health costs (The targeting alternative livelihood strategies have on food is often compromised, and farmers (Pelletier, 1994) and is responsible for compromising various components of the issue, but also of relationships, fair trade and direct trade (Morris, 2013) In addition to diversifying coffee yields and prices are favorable (Bacon et World Bank, 2006). This means that in coffee provide channels for coffee professionals to get focused on helping small-scale farmers diversify consistently face a situation where they can no both physical and cognitive development models have generated several important benefits crops, farming households can significantly al., 2008; Morris et al., 2013). among affected individuals. Achieving adequate growing communities, farmers, pickers, and involved in driving positive outcomes. These their farming to grow additional food for benefit from technical improvements in food longer afford to feed their families regular, and they continue to evolve, however they have The vulnerabilities affecting coffee farmers also nutrition is especially critical during early their children miss out on reaching their full include CoffeeKids, Catholic Relief Services, not yet proven to be capable of eliminating family consumption. In Central America, most storage techniques. Post harvest crop loss is a healthy meals. In extreme situations, coffee coffee farmers already reserve land for subsistence extend beyond the economic and agricultural childhood, as children who do not receive education potential, a recipe for entrenching Food4Farmers, Pueblo a Pueblo, and StC poverty and hunger from affecting coffee- significant challenge and can initially be producing families run out of savings and are enough calories or sufficient nutrients experi- farm families in generational poverty. It also among others. growers (Bacon, 2008; Méndez, 2010; agriculture and produce close to half of the addressed through modest investment.

not already exist. Livelihoods diversification The 2013 SCAA Sustainability Award Winner, the curriculum and life of the school community. Supporting Livelihood As an additional income opportunity for coffee- opportunity for smallholders or even landless projects have paid special attention to training Pueblo a Pueblo, is one of many NGOs Parents participated as well by clearing rocks, growing families, beekeeping represents a coffee laborers. In addition, beekeeping Diversification So That coffee-growers in beekeeping and animal husbandry, implementing rural food security solutions trees, and brush to place vegetable beds, promising alternative livelihoods strategy to requires less time and financial investment the products from which farmers can then sell within the specialty coffee industry. Pueblo a composting bins and rainwater and trash than most comparable agricultural endeavors. Coffee Growers Have to local markets. survive through “the thin months” of seasonal Pueblo maintains a geographic focus in Latin collection bins in each school. In 2013, Multiple Sources of hunger. The NGO, Food 4 Farmers provides Its products can be sold locally or internationally, America, primarily in coffee growing mountain students used more than 58 pounds of organically useful information to prospective beekeepers and exported alongside coffee. regions of Guatemala. grown produce in their school lunches. Income and Food Other through its community of practice – Cafe y Miel – to directly support coffee co-operatives Beekeeping has strong potential for coffee Three years ago, many of the children who The garden initiative’s dedication to creating a Than Coffee attended schools in rural villages near Santiago healthy school community and sharing knowledge and other growers’ organizations in Latin farmers to hedge against risk, as honey prices Atitlan were surviving on one meal a day. Their is changing lives. The garden curriculum is America with information, connections, tend to be more stable than coffee prices, bees are less susceptible to climate change than is parents, many of whom work on coffee farms, fully integrated into the school day and teaches The term livelihoods can be broadly understood resources, and real-time support to help them had lost the ability to grow their own food. students how their choices about food affect as a concept key to our survival that “comprises launch commercial beekeeping operations. coffee, and the trade in bee-products provides As a response, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters their health, the environment, and their people, their capabilities, and their means of several items that can be marketed as food or funded Pueblo a Pueblo’s first pilot garden in communities. In addition to a vacation garden living, including food, income, and assets” Honeybees tend to thrive in coffee-growing health-related articles. the rural community of Panabaj. After the Cole camp program for students, the Organic (Chambers and Conway, 1991). Diversifying regions, as coffee farms characteristically contain Family Foundation generously donated a half School Gardens hosts a teacher training program subsistence food production for household an extensive variety of plants, offering excellent acre of unused land, Pueblo a Pueblo coordinated for educators from municipal schools around consumption, as highlighted in Recommendation habitat and pollination opportunities. Coffee clearing the area, hiring a project tecnico, the area who want to begin or further develop food #1, represents one important strategy for supporting flowers produce sugary, high quality nectar, and TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: installing irrigation and introducing the first security and garden education programs in coffee livelihoods. Finding alternative sources bees actually improve coffee berry ripening, group of students into the garden for a hands- their schools. of income represents another. This typically on learning experience. size and uniformity with their cross-pollination. takes the form of finding market opportunities http://food4farmers.org/ Today, the school gardens are thriving in 6 for new products, for example, selling excess Unlike rearing typical farm animals, beekeeping The organic school garden quickly expanded to schools and growing more than 38 varieties of food staples or vegetable produce to local farmers’ does not require much land or land ownership, our-projects/beekeeping-in-lat- multiple schools and became a tool for enriching seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit markets or creating local markets when they do making the trade a more versatile income in-america/