What if your weekly peruse of the farmers' market had a more global perspective? What if rather than simply buying the coffee via a middleman, you could buy fresh, organic, 100% sustainable coffee direct from the farmer? Liga Masiva takes the well-known idea of a farmers' market and transforms it to an international arena.
Founded by Emily Kerr, Liga Masiva, which partners with smallholder farmers in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, refocuses the conversation on the farmers and has a business model that is three-fold: direct trade, human centered and sustainable. As many successful social businesses have proven, this is a profitable direction that has positive consequences all along the supply and demand chains. Liga Masiva touts their model as richer (for the farmers as well as the product), efficient by cutting out the middlemen and fair because of the commitment to be responsible to both stakeholders and shareholders.
The farmers who work with Liga Masiva are guaranteed a price that is 200% of what they would typically make. The focus isn't solely on the business transaction, however, the social business creates long-term relationships by visiting the farm, meeting the farmers' children and creating a community through coffee.
On the demand end of things, Liga Masiva offers coffee subscriptions complete with customized roasts, free shipping, brewing and tasting notes and new farmer information. Overall, as Liga Masiva explains on their website, "[Y]ou get a better product. You know where it comes from, how to get in touch with those people, and a little about what their lives are like... It’s like going to the neighborhood farmers’ market. And that is a lot more fun. For everyone."
Contact Information:
Liga Masiva Website
Liga Masiva on Facebook
Liga Masiva on Twitter
Global Farmers' Markets
Liga Masiva Lets You Buy Coffee Straight from the Source
Trend Themes
1. Direct Trade - Opportunity for businesses to establish direct trade relationships with farmers, ensuring fair prices and sustainable practices.
2. Social Business - Potential to create profitable businesses with positive social and environmental impact by prioritizing the well-being of farmers and the community.
3. Coffee Subscriptions - Growing trend of offering coffee subscriptions that provide customers with customized roasts, free shipping, and information about the farmers behind the product.
Industry Implications
1. Coffee Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity to revolutionize traditional coffee supply chains by establishing direct trade relationships and promoting sustainability.
2. Social Enterprise - Opportunity to build social businesses that prioritize farmer well-being and create long-term relationships through fair trade practices.
3. Subscription Services - Opportunity to tap into the growing market for coffee subscriptions by offering personalized roasts and providing customers with information about the farmers and their communities.