Innovation

The purpose of this innovation is to help the coffee farmers in Nicaragua make a decent living from their hard work. Las Chicas directly imports coffee beans from these farmers which allows for the proceeds of the beans to go directly to the farmers. By cutting out a middle man, it ultimately increases the farmers well being.

Two sisters, Maria and Val, and their grandparents owned a coffee bean farm in Nicaragua, the income of which the entire village depended on to survive. Initially, Maria operated a coffee bean importing charity, "Aroma Nica," to support small scale farmers in Nicaragua. The two sisters began Las Chicas 10 years ago in London, Ontario after the success of Maria's Aroma Nica. They would buy their beans from small producers and ensured that they were being paid fair wages and not struggling to survive. Two years ago they moved to St. Thomas, Ontario for more working space and for a storefront to sell their coffee and baked goods. Since both sisters are directly linked to their native home of Nicaragua, they have a strong sense of responsibility to their home. Many of the farms in Nicaragua from which Las Chicas buys its coffee beans are small farms which do not produce enough beans to accommodate the larger coffee companies. Las Chicas helps these farmers by buying their beans, which provides a stable income to the farmers and by donating proceeds towards local hospitals and education.

Inspiration

The original idea came about when Maria wanted to help small business owners produce income after the hurricane had devastated their communities. Since she was from Nicaragua, she had emotional ties that created a sense of responsibility to help the farmers produce a sustainable income.

The motivation came about with the purpose of creating a source of income for local farmers. Maria started a charity called Aroma Nica that helped the smaller farmers by purchasing their beans. This allowed smaller farms to become more viable in the production of coffee, as people would buy their beans instead of a larger scale grower. Rachael Helm, a roaster at Las Chicas, said that, “a small coffee farm is less than 1000 pounds of coffee, and some farmers that we buy from can only produce 1 or 2 bags that's maybe 150 pounds 200 pounds of coffee, so they're not even on the scale of [large scale coffee companies], so [Maria] started buying [beans] in small lots and importing them [to Canada]”. Maria's charity of Aroma Nica would soon become the business of Las Chicas.

Overall impact

The innovation impacted the business by creating a sense of appeal to a large demographic. They created jobs in the community and attracted customers with a desire for fair trade and charitable products. The business also has a positive reputation for its sustainable production on Nicaraguan farms. More people are eager to search out sustainable products, which gives the consumers a good alternative to other large brand coffee. “People look for that [sustainable business practice] when they come in, people like to hear that” and it helps influence their decisions. The impact of Las Chicas’ practices are reflected in the increases in the quality of life of the farmers who they buy their beans from. “Maria digs deep and pays the farmers good money. If you look at the Canadian and US coffee market, they cut coffee growers short and coffee only has 1 harvest in a year so you don’t make good money you don’t live. The fact that she decided to bring it into Canada and even now, everything goes back to those farmers, making sure they live, those are the people you know, that’s where she came from, everything goes back to that.”

Society in Nicaraguan villages in which Las Chicas purchases its coffee from are generally better off because of Las Chicas' fair practices and fair wages. A portion of each sale of coffee goes directly back to the farmers. “There is a recurring theme with Nicaraguans that they are really proud. Same with the farmers that they would never ask for help, and we recognize that. That’s why on our bags, nothing says 'part of this is going to the farmers' they don’t really highlight that, that kinda goes with the owner, she never likes to boast about her coffee, everything is a slow process of letting people learn for themselves.”

Since the owners are from Nicaragua, they can easily respect the traditions and culture of the farmers, allowing them to never overstep their reach and provide the best relationships possible between supplier and business. This also helps by allowing Las Chicas to know and recognize the needs of the farmers.

“Every detail goes back to how [Maria] is helping those farmers, how our customers are going to receive their coffee, like the care goes into each step of the process”

Business benefit

The short term effects were an increase in the immediate wages that the farmers would earn. This allows them to live life without having to worry about putting food on the table or clothes on their back. The long term effects can be seen through an increased quality of life in the farmer’s communities in Nicaragua and the communities of St. Thomas and the surrounding area. Due to Las Chicas’ community programs, they have been able to give back to the community and support hospitals, charities and much more. “[Las Chicas] pay the farmers a fair amount for their beans, they can make do for themselves, they can live for the year comfortably, kids are able to go to school , they are able to live, the infant mortality rate has declined in the region, it’s definitely helping”

Social and environmental benefit

Farmers which supply Las Chicas are able to remain smaller while not needing to worry about being forced to scale up and sell to the larger coffee roasters. Their fair earnings, supported by Las Chicas, has allowed them to increase their standard of living. “Because [Las Chicas] pays the farmers a fair amount for their beans, they can make do for themselves, they can live for the year comfortably, kids are able to go to school , they are able to live, the infant mortality rate has declined in the region, it’s definitely helping”. Las Chicas understands the delicate balance of the environment and works to ensure sustainable practices are in place through working with the farmers in Nicaragua. “You don’t want to wipe away any level of the ecosystem because everything has it’s little place, and it’s so fragile”.

Interview

Rachael Helm, Assistant Coffee Roaster / Barista