Producer Voice

Purpose

Build a formal voice for the trading partners of Cooperative Coffees within our operating structure that will :

(1) Facilitate direct membership into the CoopSol legal structure with the intent and potential for helping shape decision-making and internal policies at CoopCoffees ;
(2) Develop direct mechanisms for producers and roaster members to interact with one another, and
(3) Provide a direct mechanism for producers to interact with one another.

Solidarity cooperatives in Quebec are open to international members.  This structure, gives us  the opportunity to turn the gesture of relationship building into a concrete proposal to further strengthen producer voice and sharing decision-making power with our producer partners.

As a Solidarity Cooperative, we can easily incorporate the producer voice as legal and equal members of CoopSol, inviting them to help us set priorities and formulate policy from the ground floor up – to be presented to the CC Board for vote and ultimate approval.

How does a producer partner join CoopSol?

Any producer group in “good standing” with CC is eligible to join. As outlined in our by-laws, the producer organization must provide the Quebec “Formula 5” that names the person elected by the producer organization as representative and a fee of CAD $50.

Good standing means:

1) Has supplied CC for at least (2) previous seasons with no serious contract violations;

2) Demonstrated commitment to providing CC with stable supply and continued quality improvements;

3) Is willing and able to be in functional communication with CoopSol-housed committee and staff; and

4) Is interested in maintaining a long term partnership with CC.

Producer Members

On May 2nd, 2008 at a CoopSol AGM meeting which took place during the SCAA in Minneapolis, MN. five producer organizations signed up to be the first producer members of CoopSol. These groups are:

          o CECOCAFEN
          o CENFROCAFE
          o Pangoa
          o Fondo Paez
          o FEDECARES

 Click here to read a full article on the subject.