The Lucy Foundation
The Lucy Foundation is a Kiwi social enterprise that empowers disabled people through employment in sustainable trade. Their main product is their delicious and ethically-sourced Pluma coffee.
Our Story
The Lucy Foundation is transforming the global coffee industry through inclusive, ethical, and eco-friendly trade.
Their delicious Pluma coffee has a high cupping score of 86/100, but its real value is found in the way it supports the farmers and disabled team members who grow and prepare it.
Pluma coffee is exclusively grown in Pluma Hidalgo, Mexico. The Lucy Foundation (TLF) works side-by-side with coffee farmers and their families to help improve their crops and promote inclusive economic opportunities within the community.
Watch this video to meet some of TLF’s coffee farmers in Pluma Hidalgo.
Before TLF began working in Pluma Hidalgo, it was not uncommon for disabled people to be denied education, employment, and inclusion in social activities. According to family members, disabled people were openly mocked and therefore hidden at home.
TLF has helped change the community’s attitude by giving disabled people an opportunity for employment and community involvement. They work in the coffee production lines and often lead the community agricultural workshops.
The Lucy Foundation is committed to fair pay and safe working conditions throughout their coffee supply chain.
They employ a field director who works directly with disabled people and their coffee-farming families in Pluma Hidalgo to ensure that they receive a fair wage and that their needs are met.
All of the profits from Pluma Cofee are directly reinvested into the Pluma Coffee Project.
When you buy Pluma Coffee you are supporting:
Life-changing employment for disabled people in both NZ and Mexico
Income for farmers in Pluma Hidalgo, Mexico where poverty is high
Environmental restoration in the region
Future job training and workshops for anyone in Pluma Hidalgo
“At the heart of our coffee is inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.”
Outside of harvest season, The Lucy Foundation runs workshops that are focused on agricultural interventions for the long-term wellbeing of the coffee trees.
Disabled workshop participants teach the wider community how to create their own organic crop treatment (for example insecticides and fungicides) using natural ingredients that already exist in the region.
Because coffee farming is not economically viable for every month of the year, TLF team also runs workshops that are designed to promote personal and environmental wellbeing. These workshops encourage the community to diversify their produce and create income outside of coffee.
When you purchase TLF coffee beans, not only are you supporting a small local business, but also disability rights and environmental protection at the same time!
Quick Tip: TFL’s coffee beans are lovingly roasted by Able Coffee Collaborative. Using the order form on the TLF website, customers can choose any of Able’s coffees and $5 will be donated back to The Lucy Foundation Pluma Coffee Project.
