Manos al Grano is a non-profit organization started by Colombian coffee exporter Azahar Coffee Company. The program was born out of the company’s mission to find new ways to contribute to coffee producers' income. As an exporter, Azahar pays higher, stable prices to coffee farmers regardless of what the market dictates because of their conviction that good coffee farming should be profitable. Through working closely with coffee producers they became compelled to extend that same dedication to those picking the coffee. In many parts of the world, including Colombia, pickers receive low wages and are not contracted as legal registered workers, and Azahar saw an opportunity to address that. They have been working since 2017 on various ways to improve working conditions for coffee pickers, culminating in the launch of Manos al Grano in 2019. The program provides training and a salary for pickers with all the benefits of legal employment like worker’s comp, access to health care, sick leave, paid time off, and access to other public institutions. Manos al Grano is providing protections to some of the most exposed workers in the coffee supply chain.

The Manos al Grano program puts coffee pickers on salary, provides them training, and then loans their services to coffee farmers. For small lot producers this is critical, as getting access to capital to pay for coffee pickers is very difficult. It’s often the case that banks won’t offer loans to small farmers at all. This is where Manos al Grano comes in. A producer can give Manos al Grano a call, they will then schedule their workers to pick the coffee, and the producers don’t have to pay for the labor until the coffee is sold. With skilled pickers also comes the potential for higher quality lots that may fetch a higher price when the coffee is eventually sold. It’s a win for producers and a win for the pickers.

It’s no accident that Manos al Grano got its start in Colombia. On large farms it’s often the case that workers are employed. However, when it comes to small farms this is rarely possible. In general, coffee producers rely on day laborers or migrant workers because like most other crops, picking is based on seasonal harvests and the work is temporary. Colombia, due to its location on the equator, has no major changes in climate or seasons, which means that coffee trees produce fruit year round. Therefore, the need for labor isn’t tied to seasonal harvests, providing an opportunity for a program like Manos al Grano to operate sustainably. It’s no accident that Manos al Grano got its start in Colombia. On large farms it’s often the case that workers are employed. However, when it comes to small farms (and specialty coffee as a whole), this isn’t possible. In general, coffee producers rely on day laborers or migrant workers because like most other crops, picking is based on seasonal harvests and the work is temporary. Colombia, due to its location on the equator, has no major changes in climate or seasons. This means producers are essentially able to farm year round, which then presents the opportunity for coffee pickers to earn a salary based off of consistent employment.

Yes! While all of the producers we work with in Colombia are participants in the program, the distinction is lot to lot. This means that just because we receive a coffee from a participant producer, it doesn’t automatically make it Manos al Grano coffee. However, with the program's success, it’s our hope that someday all of our Colombian coffees are picked this way!

Azahar Coffee Company The Manos al Grano Program