Benita Sanchez

FINCA LA LOMA LINDA STORY

Benita is originally from the village of Cruz Quemada, a place well known for its unique coffee profiles and breathtaking views. She and her family represent the Mam people, one of the most important Mayan communities in the Huehuetenango department. The Mam culture and lifestyle are intricately linked to the countryside and weaving, as their clothing is woven by hand. This tradition is performed with extraordinary pride since it presents their region and ancestors.

For more than 20 years, she has worked in agriculture and coffee cultivation, and for four years has sold coffee in the specialty coffee market. She learned from her father’s teachings, and when she was a child, she closely understood how to cultivate coffee and other staples. She directly manages her plot, La Loma Linda or Beautiful Hill, which is named after a beautiful peak where it is located. Benita is also part of the Cruz Quemada Cooperative, where together with other coffee growers in the area, they process coffee in a collective washing station. In this area, small-scale coffee farmers do not have access to all the infrastructure and machinery needed to process coffee directly on the farm.

Benita says, “Enjoy my coffee from Santa Bárbara municipality because it is grown with a lot of love and dedication, and we always expect a fair price.”