CAN is a U.S.-based non-profit organization with a mission to develop a network of rural communities and consumers that work together to support self-sufficiency and sustainable farming practices. After seeing the devasting effects many coffee producing communities were facing after the coffee crisis, the founders, Steve Gliessman and Robbie Jaffe, initiated CAN in 2001, to link these communities in a grassroots effort to connect producers and consumers.


*Participatory Action Research (PAR) - farm-based research involving investigators and farmers with information generated from within and provided to the community;

*Action Education - community education, technical assistance, leadership development, consumer education, and ongoing exchanges and participation between the member communities;

*Alternative Trade  - development of producer-controlled markets that support local communities and create direct links with consumers.



CAN has developed a "fair trade direct" coffee marketing system. By linking coffee co-ops in Central America with U.S. consumers, CAN helps farmers receive a just and sustainable price for their coffee. Through linking growers and consumers in a `global farmers market,` CAN connects economic viability with ecological farming practices, including transitioning to organic production and reforestation.



CAN`s grassroots network depends on you! It`s simple and you can be part of CAN in a way that you choose. Here are some ideas:



*Order coffee direct from Costa Rica!

*Interested in some experential learning? Get out of the classroom! CAN offers 10+ week interships in Costa Rica and El Salvador. Work on specific projects related to agroecology, tropical ecology/reforestation, conversation, marketing, agro-eco tourism, etc and earn up to 15 units of academic credit.

*Become a member of CAN and support sustainable farming and reforestation projects.

Being a commodity item, coffee is subject to all kinds of price fluxes. Six years ago, coffee prices were at an all time low and now we're seeing prices sky-rocket again, which is not the kind of economic security coffee producing communities can depend on. Communities and countries that depend on coffee trade barely make ends meet, with the cost of production often exceeding the price they receive for coffee beans. Farmers are looking for new ways to sell their coffee that are more economically sustainable, particularly through specialty coffee markets [i.e. organic, shade grown, Fair Trade, etc]. To facilitate economic and environmental sustainability, CAN helps Fair Trade certified cooperatives receive an even greater price for their beans than through conventional Fair Trade, while also promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By linking direct marketing with ecological farming, CAN is a beacon for the future of the fair trade movement.