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The Bulambuli Kwigaite cooperative itself is in eastern Uganda, near the Kenyan border. Built in 2022, it works with about 1,100 farmers who deliver cherries from the surrounding area. Were drawn to this supply chain primarily for its participation in the NKG Bloom program—a non-profit initiative that, in their own words, “focuses on offering producers three key offerings: mobile money advances, professional assistance in agriculture and business best practices; and soil analysis and fertilizer application.” Washed coffees refers to the process of removing the green coffee seed from its fruit using water to ferment remaining fruit off the seed before drying and finishing for export. This process generally results in higher perceived acidity, flavour clarity and complexity than the natural or “dry” process. Though always a work in progress, NKG Bloom’s efforts in Uganda have already achieved measurable success. As NKG reports, “an external independent survey found that farmers enrolled in NKG Bloom have, on average, registered a 187 percent yield increase and a net coffee income increase of 189 percent,” and though these metrics are relative, they certainly represent a positive reorientation of the status quo in these communities. By the end of this year, they aspire to grow their membership by another 1,000 producers, and to continue strengthening their efforts in financing, education, and market access across the board. In the cup, we taste raspberry tea, white chocolate and kiwi.
