On this International Coffee Day, we celebrate not only the coffee that fills our cups but the hands and hearts behind it. This year’s theme, “embracing collaboration for collective action”, is beautifully embodied in the story of three remarkable women from the coffee-farming community of San Francisco, Nicaragua—Juliana Gonzalez, her daughter Rosibel Gonzalez, and her granddaughter Mayling Mendez. Together, they represent three generations of farmers who have joined forces with Food 4 Farmers to build a future where coffee farming and food security go hand in hand.
A Legacy Rooted in Resilience
Juliana Gonzalez, the family matriarch, was among the first to join Food 4 Farmers’ programs five years ago. At a time when many farmers were skeptical about changing their methods, Juliana’s curiosity and faith in sustainable practices led her to dive in wholeheartedly. “A lot of my friends asked why I was attending the trainings,” Juliana recalls, “because they didn’t see the use. But I had faith in the outcome.”
Through these programs, Juliana learned techniques to diversify her farm, improve soil health, and produce food for her family while still growing coffee. She started selling produce at the women-run Mercadito Nutri Hogar in Jinotega, gaining confidence with each sale. “At the beginning, I was so afraid of selling,” she admits, “but I was determined. Now, I come to the market twice a week, and I have regular clients who seek my produce.”
Juliana’s story is one of persistence, learning, and community. With the money she earned from selling her crops, she was able to make improvements to her home and even purchase additional land. But for Juliana, the greatest reward has been sharing this journey with her daughter and granddaughter.
Building a Stronger Future Together
Juliana’s daughter, Rosibel Gonzalez, followed in her footsteps, becoming involved in the food security programs soon after seeing the positive changes in her mother’s life. For Rosibel, it was not just about farming, but about creating a sustainable future for her children. “It gives me great satisfaction that my mother, my daughter, and I are doing this together,” she says.
Rosibel represents the expansion of these collective efforts. As more families joined the program, the cooperative network deepened, bringing farmers closer together in their shared goals. The knowledge she gained from the trainings allowed her to improve her farming techniques and, in turn, support the younger generation of farmers, like her daughter, Mayling.
Rosibel and Juliana sell their produce at the women-run farmers market.
The Next Generation of Food Security
At just 24 years old, Mayling Mendez has become one of Food 4 Farmers’ most active program promoters in her community. She leads by example, sharing the techniques she’s learned not only with fellow participants but also with her own family. “As a community promoter, I’ve received training, but my grandmother and mother have also received training, so we help each other,” Mayling explains. “I learn a lot from them, and they help me to help others in the group.”
Mayling’s role as a community promoter highlights the importance of passing on knowledge and working collaboratively. She is responsible for supporting her entire community, including those who may not be part of the cooperative, and encouraging them to diversify their farms with food production. “At the beginning, my father didn’t believe it would work because of our poor soil,” she says, “but now he’s convinced of the benefits of organic farming and helps us with activities.”
Despite the challenges—long distances between homes and reluctant participants—Mayling remains dedicated, drawing strength from her family’s support. “Sometimes, it’s hard to face the obstacles,” she admits, “but my grandmother always says, ‘So young and discouraged already? Learn from me, who has overcome so much.’”
F4F's Director Marcela meets with the women who run the farmers market.
A Shared Journey Toward a Healthier Future
The combined efforts of Juliana, Rosibel, and Mayling paint a vivid picture of how collective action can transform lives and communities. Their story reflects the power of intergenerational wisdom, where each generation builds upon the knowledge of the last, adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Through their work, they are creating a legacy of resilience—one that extends beyond their family to the entire cooperative and beyond.
This International Coffee Day, we celebrate their journey, one that is deeply tied to the land, to their crops, and to their efforts to grow a healthier future. As we enjoy our daily ritual of coffee, let’s remember the shared journey it represents—of collaboration, perseverance, and hope.
Juliana, Rosibel, and Mayling remind us that the legacy of coffee is not only about the beans we brew, but about the lives that are touched by the collaboration and collective action that make it possible. Your daily ritual, our shared journey. Today, let’s raise our cups to them.
