33 Coffee-Inspired Examples of Social Good

From Fair Trade Java Beans to Profit-Sharing Cafes

— August 16, 2012 — Social Good
Fair trade java beans are one in many social innovations involving coffee. While many thriving social businesses operate on models that either distribute ethically produced coffee and coffee products, there are also several unique examples of cafes and bistros providing employment opportunities or training for individuals struggling to find work for a variety of reasons.

Social impact projects involving coffee target issues both domestic and international, with Cafe Etico a Vancouver-based, which donates 100% of the profits from its organic fair trade coffee to human rights initiatives, while the Stonepound Coffee Company distributes ethical java beans that also provide sustainable employment in the Philippines.

Other unique examples of how coffee is inspiring social impact efforts, Toronto’s Out of This World cafe provides employment opportunities for those coping with mental health issues, while San Francisco’s Old Skool Cafe employs at-risk youth.
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Exotic Eco-Friendly Java
Exotic Eco-Friendly Java
Cafe Etico is a Coffee Brand Supporting Human Rights in Latin America
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Ethically Traded Java Beans
Ethically Traded Java Beans
Growers First Coffee Buys Directly From Farming Cooperatives
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Ethically Responsible Celeb Brews
Ethically Responsible Celeb Brews
Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Creates Sustainable 'Lyon' Coffee
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Beneficial Business Locating Programs
Beneficial Business Locating Programs
The Social Impact App Uses GPS to Find Responsible Retail
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Ethical Organic Java Beans
Ethical Organic Java Beans
The Stonepound Coffee Company Brings Eco-Friendly Joe to Toronto
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Crime-Preventing Bistro Programs
Crime-Preventing Bistro Programs
San Francisco's Old Skool Cafe Employs At-Risk Youth
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Connection-Building Beans
Connection-Building Beans
DOMA Coffee Roasters Create Relationships That Last
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Coffee Connection Sites
Coffee Connection Sites
Coffee CSA Lets You Connect with and Buy from Java Farmers Worldwide
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Relationship-Based Baking Businesses
Relationship-Based Baking Businesses
King Arthur Flour Company is Employee-Owned
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Empowering Bakeries
Empowering Bakeries
The Bread Maker in the UK Employees People with Learning Disabilities
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Anti-Mafia Co-Operative Products
Anti-Mafia Co-Operative Products
The Ethicando Store in Paris Stocks Fairtrade Food and Designs
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H2O-Supporting Coffee Companies
H2O-Supporting Coffee Companies
Three Avocados Helps to Provide Clean Water in Uganda
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Godwin Yidana and Gayle Pescud, Co-Founders of G-Lish (INTERVIEW)
Godwin Yidana and Gayle Pescud, Co-Founders of G-Lish (INTERVIEW)
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Stigma-Ending Bistros
Stigma-Ending Bistros
'Out of This World Cafe' in Toronto Engages the Psychiatric Recovery Communi
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Purpose-Driven Products
Purpose-Driven Products
Project 7 Creates Positive Change in Global Communities
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Personal Development Diners
Personal Development Diners
Ground Level Cafe Offers Training to At-Risk Youth in Toronto
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Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Ethical Bean Sells Fair Trade and Socially-Responsible Products
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Ethical Lifestyle Apps
Ethical Lifestyle Apps
The Fair Trade Finder App Crowdsources Fair Trade-Certified Products
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Beans for Benefit
Beans for Benefit
When You Buy a Bag of ONEbean Coffee, Choose a Cause to Support
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Cause-Driven Coffee
Cause-Driven Coffee
Pura Vida Empowers the Poor Through Create Good Foundation
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Female-Focused Enterprises
Female-Focused Enterprises
Women's Bean Project Creates Jobs with Jewelry & Gourmet Food
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Experience-Creating Cleaners
Experience-Creating Cleaners
The Eco Laundry Room Has a Cafe, Kid's Play Area and Free WiFi
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Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Studio 89, a Social Enterprise Cafe in Mississauga by YTGA
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Coffee Ground Mushrooms
Coffee Ground Mushrooms
'Back to the Roots' Turns Waste into Gourmet Ingredients
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Fresh Vegan Food Trucks
Fresh Vegan Food Trucks
Cinnamon Snail Offers New Yorkers Tasty Organic Fare
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Nonprofit Coffee Shops
Nonprofit Coffee Shops
Strawberry Line Cafe Employs Adults with Learning Disabilities
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Day Care Coffee Shops
Day Care Coffee Shops
Daisies Cafe is for People with Mental Illness & Learning Disabilities
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Rehab Restaurants
Rehab Restaurants
'Cafe Therapy' in Prague Helps People Overcome Drug Addictions
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Profit-Sharing Cafes
Profit-Sharing Cafes
Kinfolk is an Australian Social Business with Four Development Projects
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Badass Bean Roasts
Badass Bean Roasts
Kicking Horse Coffee is a Trailblazer of the Canadian Fair Trade Movement
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Generosity Cafes
Generosity Cafes
KereKere Coffee Kiosk in Melbourne Lets Customers Pick a Cause
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Socially Minded Lifestyle Brands
Socially Minded Lifestyle Brands
Elvis & Kresse Creates Accessories out of Reclaimed Fire Hoses
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Crafty Sustainable Cafe Accents
Crafty Sustainable Cafe Accents
Artisan Coffee by Liquidesign Features Eco-Friendly Decor
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