At Jones Ranch Coffee, we believe that exceptional coffee starts with exceptional people. But we also believe that supporting farmers means more than just paying fair prices for beans.
That’s why we’ve chosen to partner with Kiva, a global microloan platform that allows us — and you — to support farmers directly, beyond just the harvest.
What is Kiva?
Kiva is a non-profit organization that connects lenders (people like you and us) with borrowers (often farmers and small business owners) across the globe. These are interest-free, small-dollar loans that help individuals:
- Purchase farming equipment
- Invest in better processing tools
- Build infrastructure
- Sustain their families through tough seasons
It’s a sustainable way to empower people — not through charity, but through trust and opportunity.
Why This Matters to Coffee
Coffee farmers — especially in Central and South America — face serious challenges:
- Climate instability
- Supply chain disruptions
- Unfair lending practices
- Lack of access to banking or capital
Traditional financing is often impossible for these producers. That’s where Kiva fills the gap — and where we step in to help.
Why We Chose Kiva Over Other Programs
Most "fair trade" programs stop at paying a premium on the bean.
That’s good — but not enough.
Kiva allows us to go further:
- We select farmers to fund directly (many of whom come from coffee-producing regions we source from).
- 100% of the loan goes to the recipient.
- We can track impact and re-loan after repayment.
- It’s real empowerment, not optics.
How the JRC–Kiva Cycle Works
Here's how our partnership with Kiva works:
- We make regular donations from company revenue.
- Customers have the option to contribute at checkout.
- Funds are pooled and loaned to vetted farmers in our target sourcing regions.
- Once repaid, the money is re-loaned — creating a cycle of impact.
And yes — you can see the farmers we've supported. We’ll be publishing a dedicated transparency page soon.
Real People, Real Impact
Some of the Kiva farmers we've already supported include:
- A farmer in El Salvador expanding her drying beds
- A grower in Guatemala upgrading to organic-certified tools
- A woman-owned farm in Peru investing in community harvest labor
These aren’t faceless supply chain numbers — they’re individuals.
How You Help Every Time You Order
Every time you buy from Jones Ranch Coffee:
- You’re drinking single-origin coffee from farmers we know.
- You’re supporting a business that reinvests in those communities.
- And soon, you’ll be able to add $1 or $5 at checkout to fund future investments directly.
It’s not charity. It’s partnership. And you’re part of it.
Why Community Financing Matters
While Kiva is one of our primary platforms, it’s part of a larger belief system: that access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to success for smallholder farmers.
In addition to Kiva, we are exploring other community financing options, including:
- Regional microbank programs
- Private reinvestment from revenue into farm infrastructure
- Future potential to underwrite or partner on direct equipment loans
We believe supporting a sustainable supply chain means helping the people at the beginning of it — not just through bean payments, but through financial tools that help them grow, plan, and thrive.
