Quebec orchard Owners Brew Up⁢ Unique Partnership with Mexican Coffee ⁣Farmer

SAINT-JEAN-DE-MATHA, Quebec – ⁤What ‍began as a temporary foreign worker arrangement has blossomed into a cross-border business venture for a Quebec⁣ orchard and a Mexican‍ coffee farmer. Nathalie Rainville⁢ and Jean-François Poirier, owners of ⁤a cider orchard in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, have forged an unusual partnership with Luis Lopez Rivera, a seasonal worker from ⁣Veracruz,⁤ Mexico.

From Apple Orchard ⁤to Coffee⁢ Importer

In 2023, Rainville and PoirierS Spanish vocabulary was limited, but their⁤ connection with Lopez Rivera quickly transcended language barriers. Now, the ⁤couple not only speaks Spanish fluently⁣ but also imports, roasts, and sells coffee beans cultivated by lopez⁢ Rivera on his family’s land in Mexico. The profits are shared, creating a mutually beneficial enterprise.

While Quebec welcomes approximately 20,000 temporary foreign workers annually to support its agricultural sector, such partnerships remain uncommon. Another Quebec business, La Maison Smith, has been importing coffee from Carlos Antonio ⁤Peña Vela, another seasonal worker, ‍as 2021.

A Partnership built on shared Values

“There is no‍ manual,” Rainville said, describing the organic nature of the partnership. After Lopez Rivera’s first apple season, Rainville and Poirier visited his farm in Mexico. Discovering he was⁢ a coffee grower, ⁣they⁤ saw an opportunity to⁣ bring his product to Quebec.

Navigating the Import Process

Making the‍ project a reality required navigating ⁢a complex web of regulations and logistics.⁣ Rainville made numerous calls in French, English, and Spanish to find an intermediary in Mexico, understand the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s rules,‍ and⁤ secure carriers for the small⁣ cargo. “Beware of incomplete forms,” Rainville cautioned,noting that ⁤errors can lead to ⁢starting the process all over again.

A Successful First Harvest

In July 2024, after more than six months of work, a truck finally delivered 1,200 kilograms of coffee beans to⁣ their orchard. Jean-François, Luis, and his brother⁤ Delfino, ⁣who also works‍ at the orchard, celebrated the arrival. Lopez Rivera, upon opening a bag of the beans, ⁢declared, “It’s good!”

Worker Preference

Lopez Rivera said he prefers working at the smaller orchard with its 1,800 apple trees, citing the more human scale and relationship with the owners. He noted the work can be difficult, but the coffee sales provide an additional income⁢ of about $10 per kilogram, allowing him to “have a better life” in Mexico during the winter months.

The Key to Success: Affinity

“I could not do the same things if I used 20 Mexican workers,” rainville said.She emphasized the⁤ importance of understanding the workers’ realities. Ultimately, she‍ believes the success of their partnership hinges on‍ a shared connection.⁣ “It may be a story of affinity. We came across someone⁣ who looked like us.”

This article was originally published‍ in the May 2025 issue of ⁣ news under the title “Le Café des Allies.”

Quebec Orchard Owners’ Unique Coffee Venture⁢ with Mexican Farmer

This article explores the prosperous partnership between ⁤a Quebec orchard and a Mexican coffee farmer. it highlights the journey from a temporary foreign worker arrangement to a thriving cross-border buisness.

What is the unique partnership described in the article?

This article focuses on the collaboration between Nathalie Rainville and Jean-François Poirier, owners of a cider ⁣orchard in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec, and Luis Lopez Rivera, a seasonal worker from Veracruz, ‍Mexico. This partnership has evolved into a business where the Quebec orchard imports, roasts, and ⁤sells coffee beans grown by Lopez Rivera on his familyS land.

How did the partnership ⁢begin?

The partnership started with Luis Lopez Rivera working ⁢as a seasonal worker at the Quebec orchard. Over time, a strong connection developed between the owners,‍ Rainville and Poirier, and Lopez Rivera. They discovered he was a coffee grower ⁤and saw ⁣an prospect to bring his coffee ⁣to Quebec.

What languages do the partners speak?

Initially, Rainville and Poirier’s Spanish vocabulary was limited. However, their connection ⁤with Lopez Rivera quickly overcame the language barrier. They now speak spanish fluently.

What is the business model of this partnership?

The Quebec orchard imports, roasts, and sells coffee beans cultivated by luis Lopez rivera. The profits ‍are shared, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement between the two parties.

What are the key steps in the import ‍process?

Navigating the import⁢ process involved several key steps:

* Finding an intermediary in Mexico.

* Understanding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s regulations.

* Securing carriers for the coffee bean cargo.

* Carefully completing all required forms.

Rainville warned that errors on forms could lead to delays in the process.

How long did it take to get the first coffee beans imported?

it took over six months of work to get the first shipment of coffee beans delivered to the Quebec orchard.The first delivery ⁣occurred in July 2024.

What factors contribute to the success of this⁣ partnership?

The success of‍ the partnership⁣ hinges on a shared connection and‍ understanding of the workers’ ⁣realities. Rainville emphasized the importance⁣ of “affinity” between the partners.

How does this partnership compare to other similar arrangements?

Such partnerships are considered uncommon, especially given that Quebec welcomes approximately 20,000 temporary ⁤foreign workers annually ‍to support its agricultural sector. Another Quebec business,⁢ La‍ Maison Smith, has a similar relationship with a seasonal worker ⁣importing coffee since ⁤2021.

What is the financial benefit for Luis Lopez Rivera?

Lopez Rivera receives an additional income of ⁢about $10 per kilogram from the coffee sales, allowing him to “have a better life” in Mexico during the winter⁤ months.

Why does Lopez Rivera prefer working at the smaller orchard?

He prefers ‍working at the smaller orchard because of the more human-scale ‍environment‍ and the relationship with the ‍owners.

Key Takeaways of the Partnership

Here is a summary of the key aspects of this unique business venture:

Aspect	Details
Partners	Quebec orchard owners (Nathalie rainville and Jean-François Poirier) and Mexican coffee farmer (Luis Lopez Rivera).
Business	Importing, roasting, and selling coffee beans grown by Luis lopez Rivera.
Origin	Started as a temporary foreign worker arrangement.
Location	Quebec,Canada and Veracruz,Mexico.
Key⁢ to Success	Shared values,understanding and “affinity” between the partners.
Financial Benefit	Additional income for luis Lopez Rivera from coffee sales.

where was this article originally published?

This⁢ article was originally published in the May 2025 issue ‍of *news* under the title “Le Café des Allies.”