Laying the Groundwork for IWCA Puerto Rico
Exploring opportunities and building relationships at the Coffee and Chocolate Expo 2025
In late March 2025, IWCA Global President Sharon Reichers traveled to Puerto Rico to attend the vibrant Coffee and Chocolate Expo—an energizing celebration of Puerto Rican coffee, culture, and community. Her visit marked an exciting step in connecting with local producers and organizations to explore the potential for launching an IWCA Chapter on the island.
Throughout the Expo, Sharon met with a wide range of producers, café owners, and industry leaders, including several remarkable women working across the value chain. She also had the opportunity to learn more about Café del Futuro, a program empowering the next generation of coffee growers in Puerto Rico. Conversations at the Expo—and during after-hours networking events—sparked inspiration and opened the door to future collaboration.
In the days following the Expo, Sharon visited coffee-growing regions, toured farms, and met with local organizations including PROCAFE and PR Coffee Roasters. She even visited a university coffee lab and connected with the Secretary of Agriculture—who shared encouraging support for efforts to grow and strengthen Puerto Rican coffee.
At every stop along the trip, Sharon encountered passion, pride, and deep-rooted commitment to the land, the product, and the people behind every cup. She was especially inspired by the energy and vision of young producers—many of whom are carrying on a family legacy and eager to bring their coffee to the global specialty market.
As Sharon returned home, she carried with her new friendships, a deeper understanding of Puerto Rican coffee, and a shared excitement for what’s possible. Conversations are now underway about forming an official IWCA Chapter in Puerto Rico—a space where women in coffee can connect, learn, and grow together.
The future is bright, and the IWCA global community is ready to walk alongside Puerto Rican coffee leaders as they take the next steps. We can’t wait to see what’s ahead—and to welcome Puerto Rico into our growing network of women leading change in coffee.
