Empowering Women in Coffee: The RAOS Cooperative's Mission for Equality

In many coffee-producing countries, being a woman farmer presents significant challenges. From restrictive land ownership laws to deep-seated gender biases, women often face obstacles that their male counterparts do not. These challenges limit access to land, resources, and fair market opportunities, making it difficult for women to thrive in the coffee industry. Recognizing this inequality, the RAOS Cooperative was formed to support and advocate for women-owned coffee farms, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable coffee market.

The Struggles of Women Coffee Farmers

Historically, agriculture has been a male-dominated industry, and coffee farming is no exception. In many regions, legal barriers prevent women from owning land, leaving them dependent on male relatives for access to farmland. Even when women do manage to own and operate farms, they often struggle to secure financing, technical support, and market access due to gender discrimination. These systemic barriers make it harder for women to grow and sell high-quality coffee at competitive prices, limiting their economic independence and community impact.

The Formation of RAOS: A Commitment to Change

The RAOS Cooperative (Cooperativa Regional de Agricultores Orgánicos de la Sierra) was established with the goal of empowering women coffee farmers and creating a more just coffee industry. RAOS provides women with the necessary resources to overcome the structural challenges they face, offering support in areas such as land rights advocacy, financial assistance, and market connections. By highlighting and prioritizing women-owned farms, RAOS ensures that female farmers receive fair compensation and the recognition they deserve.

How RAOS Makes a Difference

RAOS is more than just a cooperative—it is a movement for equality. Through training programs, collective bargaining power, and direct trade opportunities, RAOS helps women farmers increase their productivity and profitability. By working together, these farmers can negotiate better prices, secure sustainable partnerships with global coffee buyers, and gain access to premium specialty coffee markets.

Additionally, RAOS promotes organic and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that the coffee produced by its members is not only ethically sourced but also environmentally friendly. This commitment to sustainability further strengthens the reputation of women-owned farms and opens doors to higher-paying, conscientious consumers who value both quality and ethical sourcing.

How We're Helping at Soul Caffeine

Our biggest impact as a coffee roaster is buying green coffee beans for farmers and cooperatives who share our missional goals. Our current Honduras single origin offering was sourced through RAOS supporting highlighting great coffee grown by these women in Honduras. This washed typica coffee has wonderful nutty notes of praline with a fresh citrus acidity.  Every bag sold is a contribution to RAOS to join us in supporting them by trying our Honduras RAOS Collective offering.