Potential for a Community

How can an entire community be transformed?  The founders of the Long Miles Coffee Project long to see it happen through their vision of Coffee – People – Potential.

Burundi, the small East-Central African country that is roughly the size of the state of Maryland, has been subject to a tumultuous history of tyrants, civil war, and ethnic division. Yet, in spite of its difficult past, Burundi is rising as one of the top produces of specialty coffee. 

The founders noticed the potential of Burundi coffee farmers to produce excellent specialty coffee. They also realized that an increase in coffee-related commerce would coincide with the improvement of nation-wide and individual welfare.[1] 40% of the Burundi population, or roughly 600,000 individuals rely on coffee to support their way of life.[2]

The main factor correlating with coffee production in Burundi is the presence of washing stations. In 1991, Burundi coffee began its transition back to the private sector.[3] This corresponded with the increase in Société de Gestion des Stations de Lavage du Café, or SOGESTALS. These SOGESTALS are in charge of operating and managing coffee washing stations. Each region of the country has one.  

The presence of SOGESTALS led to the foundation of compeitive awards such as the “Prestige Cup” and the “Cup of Excellence.” The purpose of these awards is to recognize the washing stations that produce the highest quality coffee bean. The awards distinguish the washing stations that produce the best bean, making the station’s production more valuable in the global market. The Long Miles Coffee Project determined that in order to have an impact, the organization should implement and manage a washing station.[4]

Long Miles Coffee realized that many Burundi farmers own small plots of land, with only enough space to produce one cash crop. For those who choose to cultivate coffee, Long Miles Coffee offers premium payments and fair prices to assist with living and educational costs confronted by every individual, either solitary or responsible for dependents (usually children). 

Long Miles Coffee believes in creating intentional relationships with coffee farmers and the employees who work with them at the washing station. Farmers bring coffee cherries to the Long Miles SOGESTAL. Workers then clean, strip, and dry the raw coffee cherries, transforming them into the beans ready to be roasted around the world. 

Long Miles is committed to honoring their Trust Mark of promising quality and excellent customer care.[5] Long Miles Coffee also serves its farmers by investing in direct trade, or buying straight from the coffee growers of Burundi.

The Long Miles Coffee Project Story 

Read more about Long Miles Coffee Project: From Problem to Opportunity in Coffee-Reliant Burundi – Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine

- GEN Desk Intern

---

[1] "New Agriculturist." New Agriculturist. WREN Media, May 2013. Web. 20 July 2015.
[2] Kimonyo, Jean-Paul, and Damase Ntiranyibagira. Reform of the Coffee Sector in Burundi Prospects for Participation, Prosperity and Peace. London: International Alert, 2007. International Alert. USAID, May 2007. Web. 20 July 2015.
[3] Banks, Mary, Christine McFadden, and Catherine Atkinson. The World Encyclopedia of Coffee. London: Lorenz, 1999. Print.
[4] "Story." Long Miles Coffee Project. Long Miles Coffee, n.d. Web. 20 July 2015.
[5] "Story." Long Miles Coffee Project. Long Miles Coffee, n.d. Web. 20 July 2015.