You probably know Venezuela for its oil, baseball, and salsa rhythms. But coffee? You might be surprised to know that some say the Venezuelan beans rival Colombia’s.
Now there’s a new delicacy in town, care of Citgo gas stations and former Wawa convenience store executive John Sacharok. Café Venezuela made its debut in the US yesterday at a small Citgo gas station in Philadelphia. On hand at the launch were the CEO of Citgo, the Ambassador of Venezuela, and the program’s president.
The premium coffee will be offered at select Citgo gas stations throughout the US and will allow Americans to get to know the tastier side of Venezuela. Café Venezuela was founded to assist small coffee growers in rural Venezuela by packaging their products and delivering them to consumers abroad. Most of the growers represent family farms and communities that have suffered from economic marginalization.
Café Venezuela aims to help Venezuelan farmers to prosper, but its goals also include maintaining traditional ways of life in the countryside, fostering environmental sustainability, and achieving food security. Behind these goals is a simple commercial relationship that also has cultural significance; the slogan of Café Venezuela appropriately reads: “from the grower to your cup.”
Citgo’s Cafe Venezuela and cappuccino start at a reasonable $1.09. So, if you’re in Philadelphia, Boston, or Chicago, make sure to ask your local Citgo station and convenience store for Café Venezuela. Not only will you get a good cup of Joe, but you will directly support sustainable development in Venezuela.
