Our Approach
Our mission is to use high quality specialty coffee as a vehicle for progressive change throughout the coffeelands of Asia, Africa and the Americas. We achieve this through:
- Innovative direct People-Centered Development programs with our Cooperative Partners
- Activism and
- Ecological Responsibility
We Have Respect for the Quality of Life.
All of our high-quality specialty coffees are certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Kosher, and are roasted fresh to order in small batches at our beanery in Orange, MA. We know that the planting, care, harvesting and processing of the beans is done in conformity with international standards for the health of the farmer and their environment, as well as the high quality of the bean. The vast use of pesticides in coffee production has serious impact on the ecology of the coffee-growing world and the health of farm communities. Our commitment to only purchase shade grown coffees supports healthy environments for coffee growers and protects critical migratory bird habitat. It is important to us that the quality of our coffees includes respect for the quality of life of our southern partners in the coffee world. And that respect translates into superb tasting coffee for your pleasure.
HULLING BEANS BY HAND IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
We Represent an Integrated, Progressive Fair Trade System.
Each player in our cycle of production and distribution, from the farmer to the consumer, participates in socially just and environmentally responsible trade. We hope that all other coffee companies will follow our lead. We only purchase beans from small farmer cooperatives, largely made up of indigenous peoples working hard to maintain their culture and lifestyles in a hostile world (Dean has a long history as a lawyer and activist in indigenous rights, one of the reasons he founded the company). We do not buy beans from large estates and farms. We've been there, and have seen the conditions of chronic poverty and malnutrition that effect farmers growing those other coffees. So, look in your kitchen - do you know where your beans come from?
SUPPORTING OUR FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS THE MAIN GOAL OF OUR TRADE JUSTICE APPROACH.
We Are on the Forefront of Social Change in the Coffee Industry.
And we have been for a long time. We were the co-founders and creators of the international development program of Coffee Kids, Inc., the first non-profit development group in the coffee industry (you should hear Dean tell that story sometime!). We were also co-founders of Cooperative Coffees, Inc., the first roaster's cooperative created to buy direct, Fair Trade coffee from farmer coops, and make it available to any small roaster who wants to participate in the Fair Trade movement. We cofounded the Coffeelands Landmine Victims Trust, dedicated to helping coffee farmers who are victims of landmines (and there are many!) get medical help, therapy and job training to support their families again. We are also active members of the Fair Trade Federation, an international organization of dedicated 100% Fair Traders (no Starbucks, Green Mountain or poseurs allowed).
We Take our Work (and our coffee) Seriously.
...although we have lots of fun doing it! We have been recognized internationally for the quality of our coffee and of our work in the world. Some highlights include:
- Roaster of the Year Finalist: Macro-roaster Category (Roast Magazine, US, 2020)
- B Corporation “Best for the World” Community (2019)
- Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Award: Highly Commended Business Leader (First Place for a For-profit Business)
(London, 2019) - Flourish Award for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Poverty Reduction (US, 2019)
- Oslo Business for Peace Honoree (the “Nobel Prize for Business”) (2013)
- World CSR Congress 50 Top Social Innovators (Mumbai, 2015)
- UNWomen’s Community Engagement Award (NY, 2014)
We Aim to Educate.
We also work tirelessly to educate consumers and other coffee companies to appreciate and hopefully adopt some of our trade practices. You can participate in that process as a Wholesale Partner, advocate, Intern or a Javatrekker.
Join in and help us achieve our mission!