Beyond the Caffeine: How You Help Hundreds of Kids Go to School by Buying Our Coffee Beans
At Joro Coffee, we prioritize transparency and fairness in the coffee supply chain, ensuring that African farmers are compensated with a living wage.
This commitment goes beyond just producing great coffee—it directly impacts the lives of small-scale farmers and their families, particularly when it comes to education.
East Africa: The Heart of Coffee Production
As the birthplace of coffee, East Africa is home to some of the world’s leading coffee exporters, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. In fact, roughly 80% of all coffee is produced by smallholder farmers, making them the backbone of the industry.
As of 2020, East Africa accounted for 82% of Africa’s coffee production, contributing nearly 10% of the global supply. Ethiopia and Uganda, two of the region’s key coffee producers, ranked among the top 10 coffee-producing countries globally, collectively making up 8% of global production, according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
This is where Joro Coffee beans come from in particular.
Coffee Farming and Education
For many East African farmers, coffee is more than a crop—it is a livelihood. The income generated from coffee sales is essential for paying school fees, purchasing food, and covering other household necessities.
In many rural communities, coffee farming is the primary source of income that enables children to access education, breaking cycles of poverty and creating new opportunities for future generations.
Countries like Ethiopia are renowned for their high-quality Arabica coffee, thanks to ideal growing conditions. But despite this, more than 80% of the world’s 12.5 million smallholder coffee farmers still live below the poverty line.
The Impact of a Living Wage
When you buy Joro Coffee, which is Living Wage Verified, you are ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation. This allows them to afford crucial needs such as school fees, healthcare, and daily essentials. Our Verified Living Income model represents the minimum price required to close the income gap for farmers, based on data collected about production costs, farm productivity, and land size.
Unlike traditional market pricing, which fluctuates with the volatile C-market, the Verified Living Income model ensures stability, allowing farmers to earn a dignified livelihood.
A Cup of Coffee with a Purpose
By choosing Joro Coffee, you’re not just enjoying a premium cup of coffee—you’re making a tangible difference in the lives of smallholder farmers and their families. Your purchase helps children stay in school, supports local economies, and ensures that coffee farming remains a viable and sustainable livelihood for generations to come.
Next time you sip your coffee, remember: it’s more than just caffeine—it’s a future, an education, and a lifeline for farmers who make your favorite brew possible.