Cooperativa de Caficultores de Heredia, Coopelibertad RL

Founded in 1961 to help streamline the processing and marketing of coffee, Cooperativa de Caficultores de Heredia, Coopelibertad RL is a cooperative of farmers located in high region of Heredia and Alajuela ( Central Valley ) of Costa Rica , Central America . There are currently 77 hectares of certifiable coffee grown on the farms with approximately 1,800 farmers in the total cooperative.

In 2003 there were four producer families which had received certification from Utz Kapeh. The farm hopes to expand certification and have 15 families in 2004 certified with increased expansion into 2005.

The cooperative recently added a doctor and an odontologist for the use of the employees and their families. Upcoming programs will include improved living conditions, formal worker training and research into further sustainable production practices.

Cooperativa de Caficultores de Heredia, Coopelibertad RL believes that Utz Kapeh's approach to gradual implementation of changes and its commitment to continuous improvement will help make it a successful certifiable coffee agency.