Cafe Femenino Mexico is a new origin for this special project that empowers women coffee farmers by involving them in every step of the coffee production process. This coffee is grown, processed and traded exclusively by a group of women in southern Chiapas state. The women control the proceeds from the sale of their crop and are fully involved in planning for the next year. The Cafe Femenino project started in Northern Peru and it is now also available from Chiapas, Mexico. In the cup Cafe Femenino Mexico flavors are clean, mild, and light with a trace of chocolate, a hint of cherry, and a creamy aftertaste.

This coffee comes from a farm that is run by all women, many of whom are descendants of the ethnic ancient Mayan culture of Mame. There are approximately 50 women, 70% of whom act as the head of their household due to their husbands migrating to other areas in order to provide income for their families. They are responsible for taking care of their families and homes, the maintenance and upkeep of the animals and gardens on the farm, as well as, the coffee growing and production.

With determination and desire for a better future, over 460 women coffee producers in Peru united to take a step toward achieving empowerment. This step came in the form of growing, harvesting and producing their own coffee called Café Femenino. Organic Products Trading Company (OPTCO) along with CECANOR Cooperative, PROASSA, CICAP and Cordaid joined forces to support the women in their efforts to achieve their goals. Together, the Café Femenino Coffee Project was founded in 2004.

Today, the Café Femenino Coffee Project is a social program for women coffee producers in rural communities around the world. More than 1,500 women in Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru are active in the project to achieve empowerment, build social and support networks, and earn incomes through the production and sale of the Café Femenino Coffee. The success of the Project initiated the creation of The Café Femenino Foundation, which provides grants to select programs and projects that enhance the lives of women and their families in coffee growing communities around the world.

The Café Femenino Coffee is imported exclusively by OPTCO and distributed by more than 80 roasters whom pay a premium above the fair trade price. Café Femenino is high-quality, organic coffee that is left unblended to preserve the acidity, body, flavor and aroma that are unique to each Café Femenino Coffee variety.

Cafe Femenino is helping to strengthen the Cesmach (Campsinos Ecologicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas) cooperative and creating a much stronger social cohesion in the organization, the community and within their families. The cooperative was awarded the 2003 Ecological Merit Award by the Mexican government for its efforts to protect endangered plant species.