From small businesses to small farms (and back again)

While some coffee producers simply farm the crop to make ends meet until they can sell the land, Blackford seeks to support those striving to produce higher quality crops, have a greater impact on their community, and “stay after it” long-term with the reward of higher payments through direct relationships.

Caputo strives to source products with the same intention. “[Our farmers] have had financial struggles. Even with elite cacao that gets famous, not enough money makes it down to the farmer,” he says. “We talk about fair trade, but it doesn’t do the trick. More needs to be done, even for these famous farmers.”

The cacao preservation program exists to create a system that is more equitable, Caputo claims. “To have a cacao that is this unique and tastes like this, it takes someone who has studied and practiced their whole life to do agriculture this way. As a…