From disaster to delicious.
When a devastating earthquake hit Manabi, Ecuador in 2016, Jenny Zambrano and Noel Dekking did not give up on their community. They started an emergency fund to help their neighbors rebuild their lives and their livelihoods.
But they did not stop there. They also saw an opportunity to transform the coffee industry in their region, by cutting out the middlemen and connecting small-scale farmers directly with consumers. They founded Café Pionero, a social enterprise that pays fair prices to local producers and delivers high-quality coffee to customers around the world.
Their coffee is not only delicious, but also sustainable. It is grown in small lots on various farms in their home province of Manabi, including Jenny's family farm, where a portion of the coffee is processed on drying beds made from bamboo from local forests, and later sorted by women in the villages.
Today, they are expanding their impact with a new chocolate project that aims to preserve ancient cacao varieties and protect the environment. Their chocolate is made with organic ingredients and ethical practices, and it tastes amazing.
If you want to support a good cause and enjoy amazing chocolate or a great cup of coffee, order from Farmers’ Gourmet today. You will not regret it.
Meet our chef
Stefania Montenegro is an accomplished chef and chocolatier known for founding Kurius, a boutique chocolate kitchen and business in Ecuador.
Having pursued her culinary journey with a degree in gastronomy from San Francisco University in Quito, Stefania's profound affection for chocolate blossomed during her studies. Inspired by this passion, she honed her craft while studying in Italy, where she specialized in the art of chocolate-making. It was ironically while studying abroad that she developed a deep appreciation for the exquisite flavors of Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa and recognized the significance of meticulous chocolate production processes.
Every day, Stefania pours her heart and soul into chocolate making, ensuring its continued growth while upholding the core values that define their delicious creations.
By partnering with Farmers’, the companies have created Farmer’s Chocolate: a productive which combines Stefania’s renowned dedication to quality and taste, with Farmers’ approach to sustainability and conservation.