Description The Red 5 de Diciembre network emerged amidst a time of crisis. In 2014, roya swept through La Cañada, crippling production and driving international buyers away. On December 5th, 13 community-based groups came together to chart a new course—uniting 1,300 small indigenous producers under a single organization. Over the next six years, members invested in selective harvesting and specialty processing, building confidence in higher-value coffees and steadily expanding their membership. They earned organic certification along the way, but specialty premiums remained elusive until 2020, when Red 5 partnered with Ensembles de Café. With guidance from their cupping team, producers began separating their very best lots, laying a model for quality that continues to define the group today.
