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Coffee Revitalization: Hispanic Federation, Nespresso, and Puerto Rico's Recovery

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck in 2017, the Hispanic Federation and the Miranda family announced a five-year initiative to rebuild Puerto Rico's coffee sector, with partners including Nespresso, the Rockefeller Foundation, TechnoServe and World Coffee Research. Over the following years more than 2 million coffee seedlings were distributed to 1,139 smallholder farmers. In September 2022 the partners reported that the harvest was close to, or above, pre-hurricane levels — but the figures they published differ, and this article sets out both.

The Damage in 2017

Hurricane Maria landslides scarring the mountain slopes above Utuado, Puerto Rico, in 2017

Photo: US Department of the Interior (Photographer: E. Bessette-Kirton) / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. The Hispanic Federation reported that about 80 percent of the island's coffee harvest and trees were destroyed, an estimated loss of $85 million in annual revenue for coffee farmers. According to Nespresso, the island had produced over 2,000 metric tons of green coffee a year before the hurricanes, and production fell to just over 330 metric tons. The wider damage is covered in Hurricane Maria and the Coffee Industry (2017): Devastation and Survival.

The Initiative

On 24 October 2018 the Hispanic Federation, together with the Miranda family, announced a five-year initiative to revitalize Puerto Rico's coffee sector. Its founding partners included Nespresso, the Rockefeller Foundation, TechnoServe and World Coffee Research. The Hispanic Federation made the first investment of $1 million; Nespresso also committed $1 million; the Rockefeller Foundation gave $500,000; and the Starbucks Foundation gave $470,000. A further 2 million coffee seeds were donated, which TechnoServe described as seeds of the climate-resilient Marsellesa variety.

At the launch, Lin-Manuel Miranda said: "My family and I love coffee. Coffee has been a part of Puerto Rico's rich culture and heritage for generations. I'm thrilled that my family, with the Hispanic Federation, have been able to help create such an important initiative that supports small farmers across the Island."

The Hispanic Federation, founded in New York City in 1990, is a nonprofit organization that supports Hispanic communities. By 2022 it reported that it had invested more than $50 million in Puerto Rico's recovery, funding or collaborating with more than 140 organizations and initiatives and supporting more than 1,600 small businesses, micro-entrepreneurs and farmers. It also listed the Colibrí Foundation among the coffee initiative's partners.

Seedlings for Farmers

Rows of shaded nursery beds holding thousands of coffee seedlings in Maricao, Puerto Rico

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

More than 2 million locally grown arabica seedlings were distributed to 1,139 smallholder coffee farmers. The Hispanic Federation estimated that this increased the farmers' economic potential by $6 million at the farm level and $10 million at the mill level.

Training

TechnoServe led the farmer training, on climate-smart agronomic and business practices. The Hispanic Federation reported that more than 1,000 farmers received technical training and assistance. Nespresso reported that, through its AAA Sustainable Quality Program, it worked with TechnoServe to provide training to approximately 1,500 farmers in agronomy and regenerative agriculture.

Watch: Revivamos Nuestro Café — Revivamos Nuestro Café - TechnoServe

Seed Purity

Coffee seedlings of the Fronton variety raised under shade netting in a Puerto Rico nursery

Photo: USDA / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Two rust-resistant varieties, Limaní and Frontón, predominate in Puerto Rico. In 2019 World Coffee Research reported that DNA sampling of seedlots in 2017 showed they were no longer genetically pure, and that the Limaní seedlot was mostly a genetic blend. It said it would use genetic testing to find true-to-type trees on farms across the island, and develop an emergency plan to safeguard the island's seed supply. In 2020 it reported sampling seed sources in Puerto Rico and helping establish pure seed plantations. The two varieties are described in Limaní and Frontón: Puerto Rico's Native Coffee Varieties.

Nespresso's Puerto Rican Coffee

In 2019 Nespresso launched CAFECITO de PUERTO RICO under its Reviving Origins programme, sourced from the areas of the island most heavily affected by the hurricanes. In 2022 it described itself as a stable buyer of coffee in Puerto Rico.

Results Reported in September 2022

On 14 September 2022 the Hispanic Federation and Lin-Manuel Miranda announced that Puerto Rico's total coffee production that year would be 10 percent above 2016 levels — a forecast for the year, not a measured harvest. The next day, Nespresso reported that the last harvest had reached 1,880 metric tons, equivalent to over 90 percent of pre-hurricane levels. The two figures do not agree. Later figures are in Puerto Rico Coffee Today: The 2026 State of the Industry.

Key Facts

  • Announced: 24 October 2018, as a five-year initiative
  • Led by: the Hispanic Federation, with the Miranda family
  • Founding partners included: Nespresso, the Rockefeller Foundation, TechnoServe and World Coffee Research
  • First commitments: Hispanic Federation $1 million; Nespresso $1 million; Rockefeller Foundation $500,000; Starbucks Foundation $470,000
  • Seedlings: more than 2 million, distributed to 1,139 smallholder farmers
  • Farmers trained: more than 1,000 (Hispanic Federation) or about 1,500 (Nespresso)
  • Damage reported: about 80 percent of the harvest and trees; $85 million in annual revenue
  • September 2022: production forecast 10 percent above 2016 (Hispanic Federation); last harvest 1,880 metric tons, over 90 percent of pre-hurricane levels (Nespresso)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who led the Coffee Revitalization Initiative?

The Hispanic Federation, together with the Miranda family. Founding partners included Nespresso, the Rockefeller Foundation, TechnoServe and World Coffee Research.

How many coffee seedlings were distributed?

More than 2 million, to 1,139 smallholder coffee farmers, according to the Hispanic Federation.

What was Lin-Manuel Miranda's role?

He and his family joined the Hispanic Federation in announcing the initiative in October 2018, and he joined it again in reporting results in September 2022.

Has Puerto Rico's coffee production recovered?

In September 2022 the Hispanic Federation forecast production 10 percent above 2016 levels, while Nespresso reported a harvest of over 90 percent of pre-hurricane levels. For later figures, see Puerto Rico Coffee Today.

Sources

Claims this encyclopedia could not source

  • That the initiative was one of the most successful agricultural recovery efforts in the Caribbean.
  • The total number of coffee farmers affected by the 2017 hurricanes.
  • Specific roles of individual partners beyond the commitments listed above.

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This article is part of The Coffee Encyclopedia, sponsored by PuertoRicoCoffeeShop.com — the trusted source for authentic Puerto Rican coffee.

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