Why Food Security Is a Coffee Industry Issue: A Conversation for Beginners and Eco-Conscious Consumers

What Is Food Security, and Why Is It Relevant to Coffee Producers?

Food security, as defined by the United Nations, means having physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets dietary needs for an active and healthy life. For many coffee producers, this definition is far from reality. Despite cultivating a crop enjoyed worldwide, producers often struggle to secure enough nutritious food for their families, especially during certain times of the year.

This paradox arises because most coffee-producing regions are located in developing countries with high levels of poverty and inequality. In fact, almost half of all smallholder coffee farmers live in poverty. For these producers, income from coffee sales often falls short of covering basic living expenses, let alone ensuring food security year-round.

The "Thin Months" and the Cycle of Food Insecurity

A striking feature of food insecurity among coffee producers is the phenomenon known as "los meses flacos," or "the thin months." These are periods between coffee harvests when incomes are lowest, and families experience the greatest scarcity.

Rick Peyser, Senior Relationship Manager at Lutheran World Relief, notes that three to eight months of food scarcity each year is a common reality for small-scale coffee farmers. Without other sources of income or food, producers and their families face malnutrition and hunger.

The issue worsens during unexpected crises. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, producers faced restricted movement, disrupted supply chains, and skyrocketing food prices. Such challenges exposed the fragility of their reliance on coffee as their primary livelihood.

Why Food Security Matters to the Coffee Industry

Food insecurity among coffee producers isn’t just a humanitarian concern—it directly affects the future of coffee production. Here’s how:

1. Health Impacts on Producers

When food is scarce, producers consume fewer meals or rely on less nutritious options, such as processed foods. Over time, poor nutrition leads to health problems, including malnutrition, childhood stunting, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Unhealthy producers are less able to work, impacting their productivity on the farm.

2. Strained Families and Communities

Food insecurity places immense pressure on families, often forcing members to leave coffee farming for better-paying jobs elsewhere. Parents may go into debt to cover food costs, leaving little for other essentials like school fees.
When children witness these struggles, they are less likely to view coffee farming as a viable career, leading to generational shifts away from coffee production.

3. Decline in Coffee Quality and Production

Producers facing food insecurity often divert resources from coffee production to feed their families. Fertilizers, pest control, and quality-enhancing inputs are sacrificed, resulting in lower yields and poorer-quality beans.

According to Peyser, when families are hungry, “coffee plants also go without needed inputs, which results in lower yields, poorer quality, and lower prices.” Over time, this can create a vicious cycle, forcing producers to abandon coffee farming altogether.

Solutions: Addressing Food Security in Coffee Communities

Addressing food insecurity requires a multifaceted approach that includes financial, educational, and structural support. Here are some strategies that experts and organizations are advocating for:

1. Fair Compensation for Coffee Producers

The simplest step is to pay producers prices that cover production costs and provide a living income. While this might increase the cost of your coffee cup, it ensures that farmers can afford basic needs, including food, healthcare, and education.

2. Diversifying Crops and Incomes

Encouraging producers to grow food crops alongside coffee can mitigate food scarcity. Crops like beans, maize, or fruits can be consumed during "thin months" or sold for additional income.
For example, Nicaraguan farmer Juana Valle dedicated part of her land to passion fruit farming. Within 18 months, she doubled her income, achieved food security, and reinvested in her coffee farm to improve quality.

3. Community Collaboration

By fostering community-driven solutions, farmers can exchange crops, share resources, and build resilience. Communities that grow their own food are less affected by supply chain disruptions, such as road closures or import restrictions.

4. Education and Training

Training programs that teach producers about sustainable farming, intercropping, and climate-smart practices can empower them to maximize their resources. As Marcela Pino of Food4Farmers explains, “land can be used for cash crops, growing food, and intercropping,” improving farm productivity and ecosystem health.

Organizations like Food4Farmers and Lutheran World Relief also emphasize the importance of agroecological practices, which enhance soil quality, combat pests, and build resilience to climate change.

A Sustainable Coffee Future

Food security is about more than feeding people, it’s about creating sustainable livelihoods, preserving cultural traditions, and protecting the future of coffee. Without addressing the root causes of food insecurity, coffee production as we know it could face significant challenges, impacting producers and consumers alike.

For coffee beginners and eco-conscious consumers, every sip can become a statement of support for a more equitable coffee industry. Together, we can ensure that coffee producers have the resources, knowledge, and security they need to thrive because a thriving coffee community benefits us all.

In reference to Janice Chinna Kanniah (June 3, 2020). Why Food Security Is a Coffee Industry Issue. Published in Prefect Daily Grind.

https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/06/why-food-security-is-a-coffee-industry-issue/