Coffee Stories

Farmer Stories: Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa

Meet Marthe - a member of Rwanda’s Sholi Cooperative and a proud C.A.F.E. Practices–verified coffee farmer.
Coffee Stories
A smiling man and woman stand among coffee plants and give a thumbs up, holding a bag of Starbucks Reserve coffee.

Grown by women reviving a coffee legacy

This seasonal Starbucks Reserve coffee is crafted by the Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee collective—a group of women committed to cultivating exceptional coffee while uplifting their communities.

Located in Rwanda’s Southern Province, the Sholi Cooperative supports more than coffee quality. From the origins of a women's association founded after the 1994 genocide, the Sholi Cooperative in Rwanda stands as a testament to resilience and empowerment.

Two people working with coffee beans on a raised platform in a rural setting.Two people working with coffee beans on a raised platform in a rural setting.
Close-up of red and orange coffee berries against dark coffee berries.Close-up of red and orange coffee berries against dark coffee berries.
A person tasting coffee from small cups with a spoon on a wooden table.A person tasting coffee from small cups with a spoon on a wooden table.
A group of women wearing red hats, as part of the Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee Collective, at a coffee process setting.A group of women wearing red hats, as part of the Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee Collective, at a coffee process setting.

Farmer spotlight: Marthe and the Sholi Cooperative

At the heart of this vibrant community is Marthe, a long-time member and current Chairwoman, whose leadership embodies Sholi's spirit of "mutual assistance." Marthe has been instrumental in advocating for women's empowerment within the cooperative. She highlights Sholi's unique profit-sharing model, where premiums from women-produced coffee are allocated directly to female members, with a portion dedicated to community projects, like vocational training in sewing and crafts.

Their initiatives include building a regional medical clinic, running a support program for young mothers, offering nutritional education, and creating a community center—all part of their holistic mission to strengthen local lives through high-quality, sustainable coffee.

Sustaining the community

On her own farm, Marthe diligently follows C.A.F.E. Practices, a set of sourcing standards developed by Starbucks in collaboration with Conservation International. These practices evaluate farms and suppliers against criteria that supports coffee quality and long-term supply. Her dedication and story serve as an inspiration, representing the collective effort of all the farmers who contribute to the exceptional Rwanda Sholi coffee.

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