Navigating the journey to Philippine specialty coffee: Crafting 'kapwa' in a mug
In the heart of the Philippines, Kalsada Coffee is making waves in the specialty coffee industry by championing a unique approach that prioritizes people and community. As a social enterprise, Kalsada Coffee is rooted in Filipino values such as community, dignity, and shared prosperity.
Kalsada Coffee partners directly with local farmers, enhancing their livelihoods and dignity. By encouraging farmers to sell to multiple buyers, Kalsada demonstrates a commitment to fair economic returns. One such farmer community is Sitio Belis, where Kalsada works closely to harvest and produce high-quality Philippine coffee beans.
The enterprise's operations are embedded within cultural and community-centered venues. This connection to a broader Filipino identity and collective prosperity is highlighted by partnerships with specialty coffee makers like Escolta Coffee Company. Together, they foster an environment where small producers and coffee artisans support each other.
Kalsada Coffee promotes Philippine coffee as a shared heritage and source of pride. By practicing radical transparency, the company hosts community meetings to set prices and shows farmers how their coffee is served in cafes. This approach not only empowers farmers but also preserves Filipino coffee traditions.
The enterprise's efforts to uplift communities economically while promoting national pride in local products have led to significant growth. In just ten years, Kalsada Coffee has handled multiple tons of coffee, built international market presence, and sustained operations without external funding.
Kalsada Coffee treats the coffee industry as an ecosystem rather than a battlefield, creating conditions for collective flourishing. This approach is evident in the improved livelihoods of farmers, stronger communities, and children of farmers attending college.
Loyalty grows organically when farmers are treated with dignity and transparency, becoming a competitive advantage for Kalsada Coffee. Quality control is community-driven, with farmers policing each other because they take pride in their collective reputation.
Tere Domine, the country director of Kalsada Coffee, embodies this commitment. In Benguet, Tere is known as the "panganay na anak" (eldest child) in Auntie Asthrine's house, demonstrating the deep bonds formed between Kalsada and the farmers they work with. Tere emphasizes the shared responsibility and commitment within the farming community.
Pricing discussions in Kalsada Coffee balance business sustainability with community needs. The impact of Kalsada Coffee is evident in the improved livelihoods of farmers, stronger communities, and the positive ripple effects this has on the wider society.
The path to transforming capitalism may lie in rediscovering Filipino values of community, dignity, and shared prosperity, as demonstrated by Kalsada Coffee. The next time you sip a specialty coffee from the Philippines, remember that it represents not just the richness of the land, but the wisdom of a business approach that prioritizes people.
- Kalsada Coffee, as an entrepreneurship deeply rooted in Filipino values, demonstrates a commitment to fair economic returns by partnering directly with local farmers and encouraging them to sell to multiple buyers in the business sector.
- By advocating for Philippine coffee as a shared heritage and source of pride, Kalsada Coffee, a social enterprise in the finance industry, fosters an environment where small coffee producers and artisans support each other, embodying the values of community and shared prosperity.
