Fair Trade Beyond Certification: Hacienda Iluminada's Ethical Promise
Buenos Dias Everyone!
What if you knew that the coffee you drank this morning is giving someone money to buy diapers for their new born baby. What if your coffee told a story of the hands that picked it and the lives it touched? For us fair Trade certification sets important standards, and we believe that the coffee we grow should reflect something more. For us it’s a promise rooted in fairness, dignity, and sustainability from farm-to-cup.
-If it’s good for EARTH it’s GOOD for YOU
The Harsh Reality of Coffee Trading and Farmers' Pay
Traditional coffee supply chain is like a river that starts wide and strong, but narrows into a tiny stream by the time it reaches the end. For many, this flow of value is a complete mystery. The journey of a coffee bean from the farm to your cup is long and complex, with numerous hands capturing profit along the way, including:
Co-ops and Mills: The local organizations that buy coffee from the farmers.
Exporters and Importers: The companies that handle international shipping and trade.
Roasters and Packaging: The businesses that prepare coffee beans for sale.
Retailers: The stores and coffee shops that sell the coffee.
While the price of coffee in stores rise when sold, the farmer's share remains tragically small. So small, in fact, that typically for every dollar you spend on coffee, the farmers might earn less than ten cents. In some cases, studies show that producers retain as little as 1% of the retail price for a finished cup of coffee. This grim reality is even more critical in Puerto Rico, where higher labor costs make it difficult for local farms to compete in world markets, leading to labor shortages and high unemployment.
Fair Labor Practices That Honor Humanity
Coffee faming and producing is very labor-intensive work. It’s a constant flow of planting seedlings, picking cherries by hand, and carrying heavy loads across steep terrain. For too long, this demanding work has relied on temporary laborers under harsh conditions. But our team members aren’t just seasonal labor; they are integral partners that bring Hacienda Iluminada to life. We not only follow, but exceed International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, providing regulated hours, rest periods, and on-site healthcare.
One of our team members, José, once shared with us: "I know my children will never go hungry because this farm cares about the people behind the coffee." His words are a powerful reminder to us that more than policies or legalities, our responsibility is to provide the resources that give our community a great standard of living and give peace of mind for the farmers who care for us.
Hurricane Maria: A Defining Moment of Hardship
The story of our community in Maricao is forever tied to Hurricane Maria. In September 2017, the Category 5 storm didn't just 'wipe out' coffee fields; it ripped the very heart out of our agricultural landscape. In our region, the devastation was particularly profound, destroying 90% of our coffee crops and devastating the critical processing infrastructure. This catastrophic loss was a major blow to our team, where the coffee industry is the main pillar of our community
The effects of the storm are still felt today. Many farmers in Maricao struggle to replant and recover, and the damaged roads and unstable power grid continue to limit productivity. The storm also accelerated a significant migration of our youth leaving the island, creating a labor shortage that we are still working to overcome.
But in the wake of the storm, we saw a powerful spirit of resilience. Hacienda Iluminada became a centre for recovery. We were able to build a community investment fund, that allowed us to quickly mobilize resources. We helped organize volunteer teams to clear debris and rebuild homes, and we provided immediate financial assistance to families who lost everything.
Together, we not only rebuilt our farm, but also restored a sense of hope and purpose. The process of overcoming this difficult period elevated our commitment, proving that our coffee farm would change the lives of everyone who is a part of our family. It was in those moments of shared struggle that Hacienda Iluminada’s promise truly came to life.
Transparent Pricing: A Trust-Based Model
At Hacienda Iluminada, we believe in radical transparency. Our direct-trade model completely bypasses the traditional supply chain, allowing us to be the farmers, roasters, and sellers all in one. This revolutionary approach ensures a significantly larger portion of the revenue directly benefits the humans who pick your specialty coffee beans.
We provide our team and community with a clear breakdown of where every dollar goes, building a trust-based relationship that goes far beyond a simple transaction. This clarity ensures that when you enjoy Puerto Rican coffee from Hacienda Iluminada, you know the true value of your purchase is in the hands of the hardworking hands who created it.
Worker Safety Programs: Protecting Our Family
Coffee farming can be a dangerous. From the use of machetes to the challenges of navigating steep mountains, the risks are real and present. But for us, the well-being of our team is non-negotiable. We provide protective gear, hydration stations, and ergonomic tools designed to reduce strain and prevent injury.
Our team members also participate in monthly safety workshops to ensure they are prepared for any situation. We’ve seen the results firsthand: a reported injury rate significantly below the regional average. It is a honor that we have been able to keep our team safe and provide the tools they need for success.
Social Responsibility Beyond Requirements
Our ethical promise doesn't stop with our team; it extends to the land itself and the surrounding communities. Hacienda Iluminada has been officially recognized as a Forest Stewardship site by the USDA and Puerto Rico's forestry agency, a rare honor that is a reflection of the teams care to protecting biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, and conserving water.
Living Wages, Not Minimum Wages
In many coffee-growing regions, wages just scratch the surface of what a minimum wage can provide. It just enough to keep a farmer afloat, but rarely allowing a family to prosper. We are committed to living wages, a compensation that reflects the true cost of supporting a family with dignity. For context, while the regional average is around $8 per day, our workers earn up to 30% more.
That difference pays for school supplies, healthcare, and food security. It’s what allowed María, one of our longtime co-workers, to proudly share that her daughter is now attending university, a dream funded by fair pay. This is what ethical coffee production truly means. It’s giving opportunities to build a better life.
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If it’s GOOD for earth, it is GOOD FOR YOU!
Youth Migration and a New Hope for Farming
For years, our roads seemed to lead in one direction, and thats off the island. Many of our young workers looking for better job opportunities left our rural communities with an aging population and a shortage of willing workers. But today, something is changing. The quiet fields are filled with a new kind of energy.
We are seeing more and more young farmers join our team! and we believe it's a direct result of our ethical promise. By offering stable employment, living wages, and a sense of purpose, we are demonstrating that farming can be a reliable career. We have Javier, a 22-year-old who returned from the mainland to join our team, and said "I used to think farming was for the past," he says. "But here, I see it's about the future. It's about technology, sustainability, and building a legacy for my own family."
It is so exciting that we are training a new generation of stewards who are proud to work the land and keep Puerto Rican agricultural traditions alive.
A Lifestyle That Reflects More Than Coffee
Fair Trade certification is important, but it’s just the beginning. In 2014 we made a promise to the mayor of Maricao when we bought hacienda Iluminada that we were going to rebuild our community in Maricao. We strive to live out the promise of fairness every day: through wages that uplift families, programs that strengthen communities, pricing that builds trust, and farming practices that create a better planet Earth.
Thank you for helping us impact the lives of our family in Maricao for over a decade, come to a coffee tour at Hacienda Iluminada and say, HI.
We hope to see YOU SOON!
Experience the Best! Visit Puerto Rico’s Premier Coffee Farm!
Come see the Maricao Mountains for yourself. Walk through volcanic soil, listen to the springs that feed the farm, and taste coffee grown with integrity. Whether you’re here for a tour or to take home a bag, Hacienda Iluminada offers a taste of Puerto Rico you’ll never forget.
From our hands on Hacienda Iluminada to your cup, 787 Coffee is on a mission to redefine what it means to drink Puerto Rican coffee.
We grow every single bean ourselves.
We practice real sustainable farming—no greenwashing, just love for the land.
Every sip you take supports local farmers, protects our forests, and keeps our coffee legacy alive for the next generation.
Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Come to Maricao. Walk the fields. Smell the fresh-roasted beans. Feel the heartbeat of Puerto Rico in every single cup.
👉 Ready to taste the tradition? Book your unforgettable Hacienda Iluminada coffee tour today at HaciendaIluminada.com!