Anticonquista Cafe in Pilsen is a vibrant space celebrating Central American culture and coffee. It serves as a sanctuary for the local Central American diaspora while addressing the exploitation of coffee farmers. Co-owner Elmer Fajardo Pacheco aims to connect consumers with the origins of their coffee, emphasizing fair wages and community support.
• The cafe features a striking mural of the resplendent quetzal and displays buttons representing the Central America Solidarity Movement.
• Fajardo Pacheco and his wife, Lauren Reese, pay their employees above minimum wage and plan to offer benefits like medical insurance.
• Anticonquista promotes direct relationships between consumers and coffee farmers, highlighting the importance of transparency in the coffee industry.
• The cafe also includes a subscription program that allows customers to support farmworkers directly.
This initiative is significant as it reclaims community identity amid gentrification and fosters awareness of the labor behind coffee production. By prioritizing fair practices and cultural relevance, Anticonquista sets a precedent for ethical coffee consumption and community empowerment.
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