As part of the visit CENCOC co-operative toured the coffee shops at the University of Sheffield and the Roastology roastery where their beans are processed. Roastology’s links to Colombia go back 16 years when its parent company Cafeology began sourcing coffee from the region.
Peter Anstess, head of retail at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are really proud to be working with Roastology, to not only serve our students and staff coffee of the best quality, but to support ethical and sustainable practices in the industry.
“It was a privilege to welcome members of the co-operative to our university - it was an emotional experience for both our visitors and ourselves to be able to join our growers, roasters and baristas all in one room.”
CENCOIC is a co-operative comprised of indigenous communities in the Cauca region of Colombia, which produces Arabica coffee. The co-operative started with 250 families and there are now over 2,700 families working on the coffee business, with 987 female workers.
CENCOIC began supplying the University of Sheffield cafes with coffee beans in July 2017.
Bryan Unkles, director of Cafeology, added: “As a local, independently owned business we are delighted to be working with the University of Sheffield and excited as we look to develop greater links with the CENCOIC cooperative.
“The partnership with the University has enabled us to provide an exclusive supply agreement by directly sourcing, fully traceable specialty coffee.”
In May 2018 Anstess and Unkles visited Cauca to meet the producers and gain a better understanding of the supply chain. Since the trip they have been supporting the wellbeing of indigenous farmers by trying to find a solution to crop diseases such as leaf rust.