We source La Virgen from our import partners Caravela, whose values closely align with our own. Caravela is on a mission to support and empower smallholder coffee producers across Central and South America, holding B-Corp certification since 2014 and UN Climate Neutral Now status since 2020. Through its Producer Education Program Team (PECA), Caravela works directly at the farm level to assess key social factors such as education, gender equality, finance, and technology. Operating with a zero-tolerance policy toward modern slavery and child labor, the organization actively champions EUDR initiatives to increase traceability and reduce deforestation across the coffee industry.

To directly lessen environmental impact, Caravela works hands-on with smallholder farmers to refine their growing practices and lower their ecological footprint. A major focus of this work includes developing organic fertilizers, natural pesticides, and localized wastewater treatment systems, all designed to minimize the negative effects that synthetic substances have on natural resources. Furthermore, the team evaluates broader gaps within coffee-growing communities and integrates them with overarching Social and Governance frameworks, ensuring that environmental progress goes hand in hand with community development.

Ultimately, Caravela collaborates with its local partners to meaningfully improve living and working conditions for farmers and their families. Their ongoing projects provide crucial access to internet connectivity, distribute agroforestry shade trees to restore local ecosystems, and build essential farm infrastructure to elevate coffee quality standards. Through these combined efforts, the partnership ensures that every step of the supply chain promotes both agricultural excellence and long-term sustainability.