Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
Klatch Coffee Celebrates Women’s History Month by Supporting Women Producers
Southern California’s Klatch Coffee is celebrating International Women’s History Month by recognizing women-owned and -operated coffee producers. Throughout the month of March, the company will donate 20% of sales from their new Mujeres de Café (“Women of Coffee”) coffee blend to Grounds for Health, an organization dedicated to providing health care to women in origin countries.
Bellwether Coffee Introduces New Electric Roaster, Saving 8 Million Pounds of Carbon
Berkeley, Calif.-based roastery Bellwether Coffee has tripled its customer base and expanded to 12 countries since the launch of its all-electric, ventless Bellwether Shop Roaster in 2024. The electric roaster helps retailers cut coffee costs by 50% while reducing carbon emissions by 87%.
“We were paying anywhere from $9 to $11 per pound for roasted coffee,” says Doug Hewitt, CEO of 1951 Coffee in Berkeley. “Today, those costs have significantly dropped (because of the Shop Roaster), and we’re now paying closer to $4 per pound. The savings have allowed us to reinvest in our wholesale, retail, and online channels to drive sales in new ways.”
Dunkin’ Removes Upcharge for Alternative Milk, Joining Other Major U.S. Coffee Chains
Following encouragement from animal protection organization Mercy for Animals, Dunkin’, the second-largest U.S. coffee chain, has removed the upcharge for plant-based milk at all 9,500+ locations nationwide. In this decision, Dunkin’ has joined Starbucks, Scooters, and Dutch Bros, meaning the United States’ top four coffee chains now offer plant-based milk at no extra cost.
“Mercy For Animals applauds Dunkin’ for this landmark decision,” says Jennifer Behr, corporate relations manager at Mercy for Animals. “Plant-based milk upcharges create barriers for those who cannot or choose not to consume dairy, making this a win for equity and sustainability.”
New Report Exposes Starbucks and Nestlé for Abusive Labor Practices and Environmental Destruction in Mexico
A new report by Coffee Watch, Empower, and ProDESC reveals that Starbucks and Nestlé’s coffee supply chains in Mexico are linked to severe human rights violations, including abusive labor practices, repression of protesting farmers, and environmental destruction. Read the full report here.
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