Even in the midst of a corporate conglomerate, independent ethical coffee shops and roasting companies across the United States not only hold their own in providing daily java fixes, but also giving their time and profits to noteworthy causes.
From local measures to global endeavors, here are eight locations you can feel good about getting a caffeine boost from.
1. Mocha Joeās Roasting Company
Brattleboro, Vermont
Along with offering organic, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance coffees, this roaster/wholesale supplier and cafƩ has a direct trade project in Cameroon, Africa that has helped to build a specialty coffee industry there.
In exporting the regionās first specialty grade, and later organic coffee, Mocha Joeās offers strong financial returns to those who supply these beans.
Cameroon farmers are given 30% above market price for organic and 20% for non-organic.
Mocha Joeās goes even further in helping to fund a no-interest loan micro-financing program and benefits including free educational courses in agriculture.
2. Land of a Thousand Hills
Roswell, Georgia
Established a decade ago to encourage healing in Rwanda in the aftermath of the countryās civil war and genocide, this companyās āDrink Coffee, Do Goodā philosophy aims to foster economic sustainability within the communities of this African region through direct trade.
The company sources beans right from Rwandan farmers and roasts them at its metro Atlanta location, plus has locations in Virginia, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.
In addition to coffee, Land of a Thousand Hills has a nonprofit partner called the Do Good Initiative, which finds ways to support Rwandaās communities through various measures.
3. Vanuatu Coffee Roasters
Providence, Rhode Island
In the city’s Federal Hill section, this coffee company partners with farmers on the Tanna Island of the Republic of Vanuatu not just to bring beans from the South Pacific to the U.S., but also to stem the tide of the exodus of the islandās youth in search of being able to provide for their families.
The Rhode Island shop has partnered with both the islandās coffee cooperative, INIK, and its joint venture partner, Tanna Coffee Plantations, to help further develop Vanuatu’s fledging coffee industry.
4. Beauās Coffee
Wilmington, North Carolina
This coffee shop ā started in 2016 by a couple with two children that have Down Syndrome ā creates job opportunities for people with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities.
Almost 20 employees work here, and the setting has been said to promote good interaction from both sides of the counter, as employees do everything from greeting customers to handling the cash register to serving up drinks.
5. Coffeed
Various locations throughout New York City
With its flagship venue in Long Island City, plus a dozen sites throughout New York and one shop in Seoul, this single-origin coffee shop focuses highly on giving locally.
Each branch pairs up with a charity in or around its location and donates 3-10% of its gross revenue.
Through a partnership with the Brooklyn Grange, Coffeed sources the majority of their produce served from an acre-sized roof at its LIC location.
6. The Roosevelt Coffeehouse
Columbus, Ohio
Since opening in April 2015, this downtown coffee hotspot has been driven by a mission of providing āgood through a cupā through championing three global issues:
Promoting clean water and fighting both hunger and human trafficking.
The shop partners with about a dozen (and fellow) nonprofits based in Ohio and abroad to consistently support their initiatives.
As coffee is the key component in this operation, the Roosevelt Coffeehouse serves Columbus’ own One Line Coffee and Portlandās Stumptown Coffee Roasters.
7. Swell Coffee Co.
San Diego and Del Mar, California
With its HQ in San Diego, this artisan coffee company incorporates a green approach toward running its operations on less waste.
L.E.D. lighting and Energy Star-certified appliances cut down on energy, using low-flow faucets and a tankless water heater, and encouraging for-here cups and tableware instead of one-time use products.
In addition to eco-friendly business measures, Swell Coffee does local initiatives:
Helping to form Beautiful Mission Beach, a nonprofit for the beautification of this area; becoming an ocean-friendly certified restaurant with Surfrider Foundation; and raising money for San Diego Coastkeeper, which monitors local water quality.
8. The Haven Coffee House
Lexington, South Carolina
This downtown nonprofit shop/store puts women first in giving a portion of every cup bought or gift item sold to Life Restored International, a ministry mentoring women in the Midlands of South Carolina going through personal hardships, plus an international component focused on a South African ministry.
Area groups are also permitted to use space in the shop to hold Bible studies as well as meetings for grief and loss support groups.
Speaking of women, the US has some truly inspiring female coffee roasters, as that linked article proves.
What’s your favorite ethical coffee shop that gives back in the USA? Please share in the comments below!
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