Coffee and a movie in Port Angeles, all for Andean women

PORT ANGELES — It’s a one-two punch to knock the cloudy-afternoon blues: a movie titled “Strong Coffee” and free-flowing organic, fair-trade java.

Renaissance, the cafe at 401 E. Front St. in Port Angeles, is hosting free screenings of the “Strong” documentary at 3 p.m. this Saturday and every Saturday, and pouring free Cafe Femenino coffee from an Andes mountains cooperative to go with it.

Cafe Femenino, a co-op in northern Peru, is a rare coffee-growing operation in that it is wholly owned by women.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

And these women, long oppressed by the Latin American culture of machismo, have wrested control of their land, their product and their lives, said Lynn Keenan, owner of Renaissance.

“Strong Coffee” tells the story of how they broke away from the dominant business practices of the region, to build a thriving company that sells its beans throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.

Brought to PA

Cafe Femenino found its way to Port Angeles via Coffee Fest, Seattle’s annual convention of growers, roasters and cafe owners.

Keenan discovered the Peruvian beans there in 2005, and in 2008 she returned to Coffee Fest to meet the Peruvian women themselves.

Cafe Femenino’s owners encourage other business women such as Keenan to use their product to not only attract coffee connoisseurs, but also to raise money for local charities that serve women and families.

So while Keenan and her baristas promise that Cafe Femenino will be poured for free during the Saturday movie, they hope guests will consider drinking, or giving, more of it.

Renaissance has entered into a partnership with the First Step Family Support Center of Port Angeles, a provider of services ranging from parenting classes to smoking cessation to a “first books” program for preschoolers.

The cafe will give $3 from every 1-pound bag of Cafe Femenino and $2 from every 12-ounce bag to First Step in support of its new building being constructed next door to the center at 325 E. Sixth St.

$10,000 goal

Keenan hopes to raise $10,000 over the coming year — the cost of naming a room inside the new First Step center the Cafe Femenino room.

Cherie Reeves Sperr, First Step’s development manager, has previewed “Strong Coffee,” and was understandably delighted with the connection between the Peruvian women and the women who are First Step’s clients.

“We hear so much about ‘Drink organic coffee,'” Sperr said. “This [documentary] really brought it home for me. It was powerful.”

For information about First Step’s programs, phone 360-457-8355 or visit www.firststepfamily.org. For details about Cafe Femenino and “Strong Coffee” screenings, phone Renaissance at 360-565-1199.

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com

More in News

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading

JoAnn declares bankruptcy; Port Angeles store to close

The Joann fabrics and crafts store in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy