BENGUET’S capital town is set to celebrate its second coffee festival.
Last week, members of the coffee festival committee convened in preparation for the upcoming coffee fest slated February 7 to 10 with the theme “Brewing Unity through Coffee 2019”.
La Trinidad Municipal Tourism Officer Valred Olsim said for this year’s festival, a farm visit will be added as an additional event for coffee enthusiasts.
“There will be facilities and farm visit. On weekends, we have unlimited coffee at the municipal park provided everyone brings their own cup,” added Olsim, citing Bantay Farms, Benguet State University and farms of Barangay Wangal will be among the areas that will welcome visitors.
Councilor Arthur Shontogan, co-founder of the La Trinidad Arabica Producers Association (Latacpa), encouraged more coffee farmers to join their group to gain better access to the market.
Barangays Beckel, Shilan, Lubas, Wangal, Puguis, Pico, Alno, Bahong and Tawang are considered as the top coffee producers of the municipality.
Other activities during the festival are coffee conference, barista demonstration, coffee cupping, roasting of coffee and showcasing of coffee products.
The festival was launched last year with free-flowing coffee made available with all the coffee associations participating.
The festival was institutionalized through an ordinance as a way of recognizing the economic contribution of coffee farmers in the valley.
It also aims to strengthen the different organization of coffee farmers in the town and promote backyard coffee farming in the valley.