Our Impact
Why Direct Trade.
Direct trade coffee promotes transparency and accountability. Unlike traditional supply chain models, where coffee beans change hands multiple times before reaching the roaster, direct trade allows us to know exactly where the coffee came from and how it was produced and who produced it. This helps Vista Bean ensure that the coffee meets our quality standards and that the farmer is paid fairly. Most importantly, our direct trade relationships afford us the opportunity to work alongside our farming partners in Uganda. This allows us to develop a deeper understanding of the growing process and the challenges they face.
Direct trade coffee supports sustainability. Because our relationships prioritize quality over quantity, our farming partners are incentivized to produce coffee that is not only delicious, but also environmentally friendly. It also encourage them to invest in sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming and shade-grown coffee, which benefit the environment and the health of the farmers, their families and their community.
Direct trade coffee supports local economies. By working directly with the farmers, we are able to pay them higher prices than they would receive from consolidated brokers. This not only allows our farming partners to invest in their farms and local community, but it also helps create jobs and stimulate economic growth throughout the region.
Direct trade coffee promotes social justice. The traditional supply chain model often perpetuates inequality by paying farmers low prices for their coffee, at the discretion of brokers or large coffee producers. Direct trade relationships on the other hand, allow farmers to earn a fair wage for their work and build long-term partnerships with Vista Bean based on establishing trust and mutual respect.
Why Uganda.
Uganda is an extremely diverse country which hosts the largest refugee population in Africa. It is also one of the largest impoverished populations with over 18mil people living on less than $1.90 USD per day, while almost half of all children do not complete a primary education.
Blessed with amazingly fertile soil and an ideal climate for growing coffee, we see Uganda's coffee potential as a beacon of hope! We pay a respectable price to our partners that will allow them to reinvest and grow their production potential and yields. We also partner with them relationally, beyond coffee.
The Farmers.
The 'Busongora North Coffee Farmers Cooperative ' was established to bring pride and ownership to the origin of our coffee. Our farming partners are registered and assigned a unique identification number that enables us to trace each batch of coffee back to the farmlands in which it originated.
In collaboration with Jenga Coffee, the farmers are trained to carry out sustainable, organic agricultural practices which help achieve the highest quality beans.
Two-thirds of our farming partners are women.
Our farmers are equipped with knowledge to be self-sustaining and forward thinking, which helps them improve their overall quality of life. The goal of our partnerships is to help provide a path to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Jenga Coffee.
Through Jenga Coffee and their local connections within the Rwenzori Region, we help train and support sustainable farming practices and efficient production processes. All of this adds up to an amazing product, while maintaining a dignified wage and overall holistic care for the families that provide our coffee. Jenga Coffee's motivation is to help increase the farmers’ income by educating them on the best farming practices to increase yield and quality.
Why Vista Bean.
Vista Bean was founded with a belief that loving people should be at the forefront of every decision. Whether deciding how to connect with others or how to steward resources, we believe loving people is our greatest opportunity in life. We don't take it lightly and we want to bring purpose to the coffee we produce as an opportunity to “Love People More.”
