International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of the vital contributions that women have made to their communities around the world while continuing to acknowledge that there is still work to be done in creating equality.

At Co-op, we’re excited to work with women-led coffee farms in Peru, where they grow and harvest premium-quality beans for Co-operative Coffee.

• READ MORE: Make your day with Co-operative Coffee

Working in collaboration with our B.C.-based master roaster, which perfects the Co-operative Coffee roast, and with co-operatives in South America, Co-op has had the chance to meet the women whose work is making big changes in their communities.

At the Flor del Café association in Peru, their director council consists of 50 per cent women, which supports producers at the social, environmental and economic level. Their Women’s Committee supports education for children in their communities, and also prioritizes technical training for women to allow them to run the coffee farms that grow beans of the highest quality.

As they’ve received training in every part of the coffee-growing process from planting to reforestation to harvesting, it means women in the community have more independence and better access to opportunities outside of the home. Passing these opportunities to future generations empowers farmers’ daughters and granddaughters to carry on new traditions.

When you stop at a Co-op Gas Bar, don’t forget to grab a cup of Co-operative Coffee from Peru. You’ll be making a sustainable choice and helping to support women around the world create better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.