Happy International Coffee Day 2024

Celebrating International Coffee Day: Honoring the Farmers Behind Every Cup

Today we celebrate International Coffee Day (yes, there is a day dedicated to coffee, although if you’re like us, we celebrate everyday!) However, as we celebrate International Coffee Day, we want to honor the dedicated farmers and farms we work with that make each cup of coffee we roast and serve, possible. Coffee is more than just a drink—it is a global connector, bringing people together from all walks of life. Behind every sip lies the hard work of people who nurture the land and grow the coffee we know and love. This day, we focus on those who are at the very heart of what we do: the farmers.

We are proud to work with some of the finest coffee farms in the world, many of whom we’ve partnered with for over 15 years. Our direct trade relationships ensure that we can monitor the quality and sustainability of the coffee at the source while maintaining strong connections with the people who grow it. We do this by visiting our Direct Trade partners yearly, cupping new lots with them, exploring their farms and further deepening our relationship. This year alone Jacob, our coffee buyer, has gone to Origin 5 times, visiting almost all of our direct trade partners. To sweeten these relationships, Patrick and Tony our Roasters also had the opportunity to go to origin meeting the farmers who grow the coffee they so meticulously roast!

• El Salvador: Las Mercedes, Finca Los Planes, Loma La Gloria
• Costa Rica: Volcan Azul
• Panama: Hacienda La Esmeralda, Creativa Coffee District, Cafe Kotowa, Creativa Coffee District, Don Benjie Estate, Ninety Plus Coffee Estates
• Colombia: Granja La Esperanza, La Palma y El Tucán, Villa Loyola, Suyusama Program, Santa Maria
• Brazil: Terra Alta
• Ecuador: Hacienda La Papaya
• Guatemala: Vides 58, Finca Santa Ana, Finca La Merced y El Retiro, La Providencia, El Socorro

Each farm has its own story, but they all share a commitment to sustainable farming, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

The journey to a great cup of coffee starts long before the beans reach our roasters. It begins on the farms, where quality coffee is carefully cultivated. Many of the farms we work with reject harmful pesticides and employ sustainable farming techniques, ensuring that the land remains healthy for future generations. This includes water-conserving de-pulping methods, composting, and shade-growing techniques that protect biodiversity.

We also work with farms that create symbiotic ecosystems, where the natural health of the soil is enhanced through organic composting, helping to maintain long-term fertility. These practices not only yield better-tasting coffee but also ensure the longevity of the land, even as global challenges like soil acidification and climate change threaten farming operations.

Our commitment to Direct Trade Coffee—direct partnerships with our farmers—enables us to stay closely connected to the entire coffee-growing process. This means visiting farms to taste the beans at their origin, discussing farming methods with the producers, and verifying that the practices are both sustainable and ethical.

Through these direct trade relationships, we can ensure that our farmers are fairly compensated for their hard work, and we can consistently deliver exceptional coffee to you.

By choosing Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, you're not just enjoying an extraordinary cup of coffee—you’re supporting farms and farmers who prioritize sustainability, land health, and ethical labor practices. This International Coffee Day, we celebrate the people at the source of every cup and the vital role they play in communities around the world.

Together, let’s raise a cup to the farmers and farms that make your coffee possible! Your choice of coffee today helps ensure that the land will continue to thrive, the farmers will continue to prosper, and that future generations can continue to enjoy this wonderful drink.

Happy International Coffee Day from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters!