"This project is different; it is not the first time people come with cameras and record, but this is something very different. It is for the community, very personal."
Margoth Rivera
Filmmaker and coffee producer
About the Series
Did you have a cup of coffee today? Many of us drink it daily, yet few of us know the countless stories infused in the cups we hold in our hands. These are stories of resilience, determination, and community solidarity in the face of multiple global crises. Crises that leave women coffee producers exceptionally vulnerable.
In the foreground of climate change, income inequality, and gender discrimination, women coffee producers face even greater challenges than their male counterparts. While women make up an estimated 70% of the labor in the global production of coffee, only about 20% of farms are run by women. Farms that are run by women face up to a 40% lower revenue compared to their male competitors (Specialty Coffee Association).
The global coffee market is also dominated by a few big players, making it even more difficult for small-batch producers to compete. The cost of production continues to rise while the price point for coffee stays flat. And with the unpredictable weather patterns emerging with our changing climate, producers have to work even harder for smaller yields.
As COVID-19 began to surge around the world, five women coffee producers in Costa Rica embarked on a virtual film production workshop in which they learned how to use consumer camcorders to document their celebrations and challenges. A year later, they have each created a short film offering their individual perspectives on how coffee has shaped their lives. Watch the stories of Alreen Jiménez, Ericka Mora, María Jiménez, Margoth Rivera, and Tatiana Vargas, and your coffee will never taste the same again.
Host a group screening
Support women coffee producers by hosting a screening with your community! Educational and group licenses are available on a sliding scale for nonprofit organizations, schools, small businesses and more.
Stream individually
Stronger Than Coffee is now available for on- demand screening for individuals.
Our lives. Our land. Our coffee.
STRONGER THAN COFFEE
Short films made by Costa Rican coffee producers
"This project is different; it is not the first time people come with cameras and record, but this is something very different. It is for the community, very personal." - Margoth Rivera
The stories behind your daily cup of coffee are stories of resilience, determination, and community solidarity in the face of multiple global crises. As women coffee producers, we are unevenly impacted by the effects of these challenges, but our experiences give us the unique wisdom to respond to them.
As COVID-19 began to surge around the world, we came together as five women coffee producers in Costa Rica to document our challenges and celebrations, learning to use cameras and tell our own stories with the support of a virtual production team.
A year later, we each created a short film to share our voices, stories, and determination to tell the world how coffee has shaped our lives.
Our stories give context and personalize the global reality of coffee production:
-
In the foreground of climate change, income inequality, and gender discrimination, women coffee producers face greater challenges than our male counterparts.
-
While women make up an estimated 70% of the labor in the global production of coffee, only about 20% of farms are run by women.
-
Farms that are run by women face up to a 40% lower revenue compared to our male competitors due to gendered barriers (Specialty Coffee Association).
-
A market dominated by a few big players means the cost of production continues to rise while the price point for coffee stays flat, particularly impacting small-holder producers.
-
With unpredictable weather patterns emerging in a changing climate, we must work harder each season for smaller yields.
After watching our stories, we hope you will never taste your coffee the same again.
With gratitude,
Arleen Jiménez, Ericka Mora, María Jiménez, Margoth Rivera, and Tatiana Vargas
The stories behind your daily cup of coffee are stories of resilience, determination, and community solidarity in the face of multiple global crises. As women coffee producers, we are unevenly impacted by the effects of these challenges, but our experiences give us the unique wisdom to respond to them.
As COVID-19 began to surge around the world, we came together as five women coffee producers in Costa Rica to document our challenges and celebrations, learning to use cameras and tell our own stories with the support of a virtual production team.
A year later, we each created a short film to share our voices, stories, and determination to tell the world how coffee has shaped our lives.
Our stories give context and personalize the global reality of coffee production:
-
In the foreground of climate change, income inequality, and gender discrimination, women coffee producers face greater challenges than our male counterparts.
-
While women make up an estimated 70% of the labor in the global production of coffee, only about 20% of farms are run by women.
-
Farms that are run by women face up to a 40% lower revenue compared to our male competitors due to gendered barriers (Specialty Coffee Association).
-
A market dominated by a few big players means the cost of production continues to rise while the price point for coffee stays flat, particularly impacting small-holder producers.
-
With unpredictable weather patterns emerging in a changing climate, we must work harder each season for smaller yields.
After watching our stories, we hope you will never taste your coffee the same again.
With gratitude,
Arleen Jiménez, Ericka Mora, María Jiménez, Margoth Rivera, and Tatiana Vargas
"This project is different; it is not the first time people come with cameras and record, but this is something very different. It is for the community, very personal."
- Margoth Rivera