At Miraflores Coffee, we’ve always believed that great coffee starts with strong, sustainable relationships. That’s why we’re proud to work closely with the Asociación de Productores Cafetaleros Juan Marco "El Palto"—or JUMARP, a cooperative in Peru that’s been making waves in both coffee quality and social change since its founding in 2003.

JUMARP was founded by José Carranza Barboza and 35 smallholder farmers, who came together with a shared vision: to create a producer-focused model for growing and exporting coffee. Since then, the cooperative has become a powerful force in the Peruvian coffee industry, but what sets them apart goes beyond just their high-quality beans. JUMARP’s commitment to social and environmental sustainability, along with their dedication to empowering women in coffee, makes them a model for what can happen when community, quality, and equality come together.

A Focus on Women’s Empowerment

One of the standout initiatives of JUMARP is their Mujeres Program, designed to address the gender imbalance that’s often seen in rural coffee production. Traditionally, women in these communities were involved in coffee farming, but their contributions were often undervalued, and they had little say in decision-making processes. The Mujeres Program was created to change that.

The program began by identifying barriers to women’s full participation in the cooperative, then developed strategies to overcome them. It provides training in decision-making, leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and teamwork. More than just skill-building, the Mujeres Program also focuses on boosting self-esteem, helping women gain the confidence to voice their opinions and contribute to decisions that shape the future of the cooperative.

Participants also receive hands-on training in sensory analysis and coffee roasting, allowing them to sell their roasted coffee at local markets and better understand quality control. These skills are crucial not just for their personal development, but for the economic growth of the entire community.

It’s an empowering and holistic approach that’s making a real difference. Women who were once on the periphery of coffee production are now at the heart of it—driving quality, shaping decision-making, and contributing to the economic success of the cooperative.

Coffee Production: A Family Affair

In Peru, many smallholder farmers operate with a household-based model of production. Farms are small, and the entire family is often involved in every step of the process, from pruning and weeding to fertilizing and, of course, harvesting. During the coffee harvest, families typically work together to selectively hand-pick ripe cherries—a labor-intensive process that ensures the highest quality beans.

After picking, the cherries are hand-sorted to remove damaged or underripe fruit, and some families float the cherries in water to further sort by weight. Once sorted, the cherries are pulped, either by a mechanical or manual drum pulper, and then fermented for 18-40 hours, depending on the climate. Higher altitudes often require longer fermentation times due to cooler air temperatures.

The drying process varies from farm to farm. Some producers use covered raised beds, while others use a 'carpa solar'—a raised drying room that allows for better airflow and protection from the elements. No matter the method, parchment coffee is regularly turned to ensure even drying, typically over a period of about 20 days.

Our Commitment to JUMARP’s Coffee

We’ve been working with JUMARP for years, and we’re deeply committed to supporting their mission. Year after year, we buy several containers of their coffee, even in years when harvests are challenging. This consistency provides the cooperative with a dependable income, allowing them to reinvest in their farms, their communities, and their quality improvement initiatives.

All 188 members of JUMARP produce certified Organic and Fairtrade coffee, and the premiums they receive from these certifications are reinvested into the cooperative. These funds support vital community projects like crop renovations, education programs, and even the construction of schools. It’s an approach that recognizes the importance of both the coffee and the community that grows it.

Quality First

JUMARP’s commitment to quality is evident in their quality improvement program, which launched in 2012 and was completed in 2021. Thanks to a combination of Fairtrade and Organic premiums, government funding, and contributions from cooperative members, JUMARP was able to significantly improve the quality of their coffee. This ambitious program included building drying houses, installing manual pulpers, and setting up fermentation tanks at every member farm. The result? Average cup scores have climbed to 83-84, with microlots reaching 85-86.

This focus on quality, combined with their dedication to sustainable practices and gender equality, makes JUMARP a cooperative that we’re proud to partner with. We know that when we buy their coffee, we’re not just supporting excellent coffee; we’re supporting a movement that’s making a real impact on the ground.

Why We Stand Behind JUMARP

At Miraflores Coffee, we’re committed to sourcing coffee that tells a story—stories of farmers who care about their craft, their communities, and the environment. JUMARP’s story is one of transformation: of a cooperative that started small, with a dream of building a better future, and is now a beacon of sustainability, quality, and equality in the coffee world.

By choosing to buy coffee from JUMARP, we’re not just investing in great coffee—we’re investing in the future of the coffee industry and the people who make it all possible. We’re excited to continue supporting their efforts, and we can’t wait for you to taste the fruits of that partnership in every cup.

Cheers to supporting better coffee, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future—one cup at a time.

—Miraflores Coffee Co.