Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center - A Social Impact Project

The Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center in Acevedo, Huila, is more than just a coffee facility—it is a transformative social project dedicated to improving the livelihoods of local coffee farmers. Designed to provide equitable access to high-quality coffee processing, Peñas Blancas empowers small-scale producers by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, technical training, and fair compensation for their work.

This initiative is the result of a collective effort to create a sustainable and inclusive coffee industry in the region. Many of the producers who bring their coffee to Peñas Blancas previously faced significant barriers, such as lack of access to modern processing methods, inconsistent quality control, and limited market opportunities. By centralizing processing under expert supervision, the facility ensures that every lot meets the highest specialty standards, helping farmers secure better prices and long-term economic stability.

Ownership and Leadership

Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center is led by Nestor Lasso and Jhon Vergara, two visionary coffee producers dedicated to revolutionizing post-harvest processing in Acevedo, Huila. Their goal was to create a centralized hub where small-scale farmers could access world-class processing techniques, ensuring consistency and quality that meets international specialty coffee standards.

About Nestor Lasso

Nestor Lasso is a young and innovative coffee producer from Huila who has gained international recognition for his expertise in experimental processing methods. With a deep passion for specialty coffee, he has been instrumental in introducing innovative fermentation techniques and improving quality control at Peñas Blancas. His commitment to excellence and sustainability has helped position the facility as a benchmark for high-quality coffee production.

About Jhon Vergara

Jhon Vergara is a highly skilled coffee professional with extensive experience in farm management and post-harvest processing. His leadership at Peñas Blancas focuses on empowering local farmers, ensuring fair trade practices, and implementing cutting-edge processing methods. With a strong emphasis on education and quality improvement, he plays a crucial role in mentoring producers and elevating the reputation of Acevedo’s coffee on the global stage.

Under their leadership, the Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center continues to drive change by empowering producers, promoting transparency in trade, and investing in community-driven initiatives.

A Community-Driven Initiative

Peñas Blancas is built on the principles of collaboration, education, and sustainability. It serves as a hub where local producers, agronomists, and industry professionals come together to share knowledge and improve coffee quality. Through training programs and hands-on workshops, farmers learn about best practices in post-harvest processing, fermentation techniques, and quality control—skills that directly translate into higher earnings and improved livelihoods.

Beyond coffee production, the facility fosters a strong sense of community. Many families in Acevedo rely on coffee as their primary source of income, and Peñas Blancas ensures that their work is valued and rewarded. By creating direct trade relationships and transparency in pricing, the project helps reduce economic uncertainty for small-scale farmers, allowing them to reinvest in their farms, improve living conditions, and provide better opportunities for future generations.

Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

Peñas Blancas Coffee Processing Center is dedicated to promoting sustainable coffee practices by working closely with local farmers to improve processing techniques while maintaining environmental responsibility. The facility focuses on reducing water consumption, implementing solar drying innovations, and ensuring fair trade practices that benefit the entire coffee-growing community.

With its expertise in post-harvest innovation, Peñas Blancas continues to elevate Colombian coffee by offering meticulously processed micro-lots that highlight the region’s diversity and excellence in specialty coffee production. More importantly, it serves as a model of ethical and sustainable coffee processing, proving that quality and social impact can go hand in hand.