Lisanne Oonk
I have always been curious about people and how they interact. During my studies of Cultural Anthropology, I learned to see great significance in the ordinary, the everyday life and was taught to pay attention and listen to the woman or man who does not automatically have their voices heard at the world stage.
For me, coffee became a lens to look at the world, history, power relations and inequalities. My fascination took off. Besides my motivation to understand and fight the injustices in coffee, the bean and drink also taught me to relax and enjoy some of the most important pleasures of life: eating, drinking and sharing these moments with others.
I have been working as a green coffee quality coordinator, Q grader, and as an advisor on sustainable economic development. But it was my ever-present impatience that made me decide to start Cultivar. My dream is to bring small-scale producer families into the spotlights -where they belong-, and contribute towards transparent and profitable chains.