CEPICAFE is an association of small-scale coffee producers in northern Peru.  CEPICAFE (Central Piurana de Cafetaleros) was founded on March 26th, 1995, with 18 primary-level co-op organizations and 200 members. CEPICAFE members grow coffee in the highlands of northwest Peru. All coffee is grown by family units. The average area farmed by members is 1.5 hectares (about four acres). The structure of small property allows them to dedicate all their efforts on the cultivation of coffee without damaging the forest and fruit species which serve as shade trees to

the coffee and supply an important part of the families' diets. Geographically, the area is located on the western flanks of the Andes Mountains, at altitudes ranging from 900 to 1,400 meters above sea level, and lying very close to Ecuadorian border.  Politically, the region is part of the Department of Piura. CEPICAFE's headquarters are in the department's capital, which goes by the same name. Member grassroots organizations come from three highland provinces in Piura Department: Ayabaca, Morropón and Huancabamba.  Today CEPICAFE comprises 90 grassroots organizations with more than 6,600 producers!  As a Fair Trade cooperative CEPICAFE benefits from: better prices , low credit rates , better quality , technological innovation and education to increase productivity, organic certification, financial risk reduction and  better nutrition and health benefits for member farming families.  Access to financing and development projects has facilitated the diversification of their production base to include a range of products from brown sugar, marmalades and cocoa to crafts and coffee tourism.