Home Source Work Mexico
San Cristobal began working with producers in the Mexican state of Nayarit back in the early 1990's.
We were incorporated in 1996 to give market access to the small-holder coffee producers of Nayarit; a huge step towards environmental and economic sustainability in the area.
At the core of everything was education, equality, and cooperation.
Process Improvement and Science-based Approach
James Kosalos theorized that unbiased, science-based process controls would help growers improve their coffee quality and consistency, growing away from the commodity market and into the specialty arena.
Cooperation is Key
Today, San Cristobal is vertically integrated at source with Grupo Terruño Nayarita, an organized group of coffee producing societies across seven different communities. The group is constantly growing, developing economy of scale that helps with everything from exportation to bank loans to organic certification.
All members carry an equally weighed vote as shareholders, they determine the how/where to invest (ie infrastructure), how they want to grow and whether new societies can join, following a probationary year. San Cristobal also carries a vote at these meetings.
Coffee Quality Management for Producer-Centric Sustainablity
Café Sustentables de Mexico, in Tepic, Nayarit, serves as the administrative arm of Grupo Terruno Nayarita. James Kosalos founded CSM in 2003 to close the gap separating coffee producers from their exportable product. They own and operate the best dry mill in all of Nayarit.
CSM serves Grupo Terruño Nayarita with:
- Evaluation and producer feedback on daily patio lots (Q-grading/cupping)
- Maintain export documentation and Fincalab database, linking to TrackYourCoffee
- Coordinate and host producer meetings and trainings
- Provide fiscal management and corporate record
- Host Ecotours and visiting roasters/importers
