Since 2021, we’ve had the privilege of sourcing coffee from the remarkable women behind the Donas do Café project, developed by SMC Specialty Coffees in collaboration with Cooxupé . Over the past four years, we’ve witnessed the steady growth and positive impact of this initiative, not only in the cup but also in the lives of the women producers involved.
What is Donas do Café?
At its heart, Donas do Café is a women’s empowerment initiative focused on women in coffee. Its name literally translates to “Women Owners of Coffee” highlighting its mission: to create visibility, opportunity, and recognition for women in coffee.
Backed by SMC’s strong logistical and technical network, the program delivers targeted support to women across the supply chain. From technical workshops and lectures to sensory training and sustainable farming practices, Donas do Café equips women with the tools and knowledge to take their journey in coffee to the next level. This program is not exclusive to producers but in fact to bring visibility to any women with a pivotal role in and around coffee production, from picking to quality control.
“We created the Donas do Café program with two clear goals: to strengthen women’s sense of belonging in the coffee value chain and to provide professional training focused on specialty coffee. I’m proud to say we’ve been successful on both fronts.
Women have always been part of coffee production, involved in every stage of the process, but their work often lacked visibility and recognition — many didn’t even realize the true importance of their roles. Changing this takes dedication and tangible results. We’ve seen that by promoting in-person gatherings, the exchange of knowledge and experiences is powerful, leading to real improvements on their farms. They actually apply what they learn, see the outcomes, and gain the recognition they deserve.
We need more women in leadership and decision-making roles within the coffee industry. I believe we are helping shape this new reality in Brazil.” – Priscila Castro, Marketing and Comms Analyst” – Priscila Castro, Marketing and Comms Analyst
From Technical Support to Market Impact
The program’s strength lies in its multi-pronged approach:
Felipe Mesquita (Agricultural Engineer), Yana (Trader), Ucha (Farm owner), and Priscila (Marketing and Comms Analyst)
- Agronomic guidance: In collaboration with Cooxupé and professionals like Agricultural Engineer Felipe Mesquita, producers receive hands-on support, from plant nutrition to post-harvest practices.
- Sustainable innovation: At a recent event, agronomist and researcher Madelaine Venzon introduced regenerative agriculture practices, spotlighting plant species like Ingá and Fedegoso to naturally control pests.
- Sensory training: Dionathan Almeida, 2024 World Cup Tasters Champion, broke down the specialty coffee sensory evaluation process for the women involved, creating a direct bridge between production decisions and what ends up in the cup. In fact, he was in London earlier in April, giving our QC Team some good ol’ training!
- Regular knowledge-sharing meetings: Through online and in-person gatherings, participants explore everything from climate resilience and post-harvest techniques to market trends and traceability. These meetings create a space for both education and community, encouraging open dialogue between producers, technicians, and industry experts.
Dionathan Almeida & Madelaine Venzon, Donas Do Cafe, SMC
The project has expanded significantly, with over 100 women producers benefiting in 2025 alone. These milestones are more than statistics; they represent lives transformed and communities strengthened.
The project also supports women across all facets of the coffee chain. SMC conducted a survey with 46 participants focusing on their roles, topics of interest and the challenges faced. Based on the results, the highlights suggested that the most common roles were in Post-Harvest and Admin, the topics of interest were focused on Drying Methods and the C Market, and the most significant challenges were in relation to Climate Change.
Equity, Education, and Empowerment
The Donas do Café initiative is more than a project, it’s a movement. Each year, part of the premium generated from the blend is redistributed directly to the women producers, with $30,000 USD returned to the community in 2024. This model ensures the rewards of specialty coffee are shared more equitably and reinvested back into farming communities. The premiums are generally used to make improvements on the farm, fund educational coffee related courses or towards general improvement of coffee production.
Crucially, this effort has fostered a deeper sense of belonging and ownership among women in coffee, an industry that has traditionally overlooked their contributions.
At DRWakefield, we champion coffees that tell stories, especially that of equality, innovation, and human connection. These coffees aren’t just outstanding in the cup but they represent everything we value: traceability, sustainability, and authentic relationships. The future for Donas do Café looks bright. With growing participation, evolving practices, and more women stepping forward to lead, we’re proud to stand alongside SMC and Cooxupé in supporting this journey.
To learn more about Donas do Café or to explore these coffees for your own menu, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Featured Coffee
Brazil Donas do Cafe
