2024 IN REVIEW

Reflecting on 2024 with Gratitude

We know we all say it every year, but how is it already 2025?! As 2024 comes to an end, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible farmers we work with, the organizations and vendors we partner with, our dedicated team members, and of course, YOU—our customers and friends. None of what we do would be possible without your support, and we’re inspired to keep improving every year to serve you, our communities, and our employees better.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights that made 2024 a year to remember:

Cause Coffees: Brewing Change

This year, we continued our tradition of Cause Coffees, raising funds and awareness for organizations close to our hearts. With your help, we raised $4,694 for seven different causes, donating $1 for every bag sold. Each label told a unique story, and we hope they brightened your shelves and inspired conversations.

Highlights:

Supporting Communities Through Donations

From raffle items to event sponsorships, we’re proud to support our local communities. This year, we renewed our sponsorships with the Blue Heart Foundation and Paddle for Peace, two organizations doing vital work:

We also donated to countless local fundraisers, where even small contributions made a big impact.

Love Letters and Gratitude Journals

This year, your handwritten Love Letters filled our little red mailboxes and traveled across the country, spreading joy and connection. Alongside these heartfelt notes, our Grateful Peoples journals encouraged reflection and positivity in our cafes. These small acts have become a cornerstone of our community’s spirit, and we’re so grateful for your participation.

We take pride in being yearly sponsors of local schools within our communities. By supporting schools, we invest in the next generation, helping to provide resources that enhance education and extracurricular programs. Strong schools build strong communities, and we’re honored to contribute to the growth and success of students and educators alike.

Padres Pedal the Cause: Team Bird Rock

Our team showed up in full force for Padres Pedal the Cause, raising $2,454 to accelerate cancer research. With 19 participants—from team members to toddlers—it was a wholesome, impactful event that brought us together for a meaningful cause. We’re aiming even higher in 2025—will you join us?

Sustainability and Quality

Direct Trade, sustainability, and Quality remain at the heart of everything we do. This year, we:

  • Continued to partner with farms practicing sustainable agriculture.
  • Used high-quality, clean ingredients, including organic whole milk from Strauss Family Creamery and our house-made syrups.
  • Maintained our Ocean Friendly certification, reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly practices.

We also joined forces with Too Good To Go, a certified B Corp working to fight food waste. This partnership helps ensure surplus food from our cafes goes to good use.

Strengthening Relationships at Origin

Our coffee buyer, Jacob, and team members Patty and Tony visited farms in Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador. These trips deepen our relationships with the producers we’ve partnered with for over a decade. They’re also where we taste, learn, and collaborate to bring you award-winning coffee. You can learn more about Patty's visit on the blog: here

Bee Leaf USA Collaboration

This year, we teamed up with Bee Leaf USA for a sweet partnership. Highlights included live activations at our cafes, our Honey Bee Latte featuring their honey, and a team visit to their bee sanctuary. Learn more about this collaboration here.

Bird Rock Blend at Costco

We’re thrilled to announce that our Bird Rock Blend is now available at select San Diego Costco locations! This milestone represents years of hard work and allows us to share our coffee with an even wider audience.

New Location: The Village

This year, we opened our 10th location, The Village, where we’re not only serving ethically sourced coffee but also debuting fresh, wood-fired pizzas! Seeing new faces and welcoming this community has been an absolute joy. If you haven’t yet, come enjoy a slice and a cup on our sunny patio.

Moonsub Merch and Mugs

Your love for Moonsub’s designs inspired us to create merch, including the beloved Fellow Carter mug featuring our iconic VW bus. We closed out the year with a holiday-themed Winter Mug, a must-have for any coffee lover’s collection. Local customers, you’ve been rocking these designs on our to-go cups, and it’s been such a joy to see.

Cheers to 2025

Thank you for being part of our journey. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue sharing exceptional coffee, fostering community, and making a positive impact. Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and incredible coffee—cheers!

Dec 20th 2024

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