Forgotten Forest is urgently raising funding with our partners to provide coffee farmers in Puerto Rico with the resources needed to recover, harvest, and process fallen crops from Hurricane Fiona and go to market this season. The Forgotten Forest program is committed to helping farmers gain access to education, resources, and fair compensation for their crops and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture.
We're currently seeking supporters to fund the recovery of 45,000 lbs of coffee cherries for immediate processing this season. Donations will cover critical infrastructure repairs, tools, fuel, and food for volunteers (see budget below). Proceeds from coffee sales will cover costs of goods and provide small recovery grants & technical assistance for the Farmers.
If you believe in our vision of restoring and reinvigorating Puerto Rico's coffee industry with equitable prices and sustainable practices then please donate today. We need the first $50K to advance our progress immediately and secure our base of operations. We're also seeking additional volunteers who are available in Puerto Rico to assist in our recovery brigades later this week.
As of 9/27, we have currently processed around 2,000 lbs of coffee from 19 farms with the support of over 200 volunteers! We've also received soft commitments from individuals and companies for the purchase of finished coffee products and donations of fuel to continue operations.
We're astonished and in awe of the ways volunteers continue to mobilize for the agricultural sector of Puerto Rico. Check our progress & budget below donate today!
Video of the start of post Hurricane Fiona emergency coffee harvesting/salvaging.
Short Term Budget: Immediate Critical Infrastructure: Centro Tanama Beneficiado Hub (18*12'54.3"N, 66*46'38.8"W)
| Item | Cost |
| Water System Repair | $3,000 |
| Direct to Farmer Coffee Purchase Vouchers | $20,000 |
| Machinery for Debris Removal | $4,000 |
| Solar Battery Backup | $14,000 |
| Technical Assistance & Erosion Control | $6,000 |
| Inventory Management System Setup Subsidy | $2,500 |
| Total Estimated | ˜ $49,500 |
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The beginning of volunteer efforts to recover at risk coffee trees and fallen cherries.
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The first batch of roasted Fiona Blend coffee! Stay tuned for opportunities to pre-order.
