A Cup Worth Caring About

Our partnership with Stumptown Coffee, and why it matters

Over 10,000 years ago in Ethiopia, a magical plant emerged—one that bestowed its consumer with increased energy, alertness, and focus. Coffee has been connecting and bonding us ever since. Its global journey accelerated through colonial expansion, when the Dutch brought coffee from Ethiopia to Indonesia and, shortly after, the French introduced the plant to Africa and the Americas. Today, coffee is grown in more than 70 countries, and traditional coffee ceremonies span the globe—from the Ethiopian coffee ceremony (which can take up to two hours and requires a minimum of three cups) to Turkish traditions where fortunes are told from coffee grounds.

Coffee brings us together and helps form meaningful connections within our communities. Beyond its rich social history, coffee plays an integral role in many of our daily routines. It is one of the most complex substances we consume—more molecularly complex than even red wine—and remains one of the few aromas scientists have yet to replicate artificially. A wide range of factors influence the flavor and quality of coffee beans, including microclimates, soil composition, cultivar varieties, and post-harvest drying methods.

Recognizing the importance of organic farming and high-quality sourcing, Stumptown Coffee stepped onto the scene in 1999 and pioneered the Direct Trade approach. By paying strong, stable prices for exceptional beans and working directly with known producers, Stumptown has built long-term, collaborative partnerships that have delivered outstanding coffee for more than 25 years. In 2024, 90% of the producers Stumptown worked with were through Direct Trade. Their commitment goes beyond purchasing coffee—Stumptown visits producers annually to support quality farming practices and community development.

These relationships have led to numerous origin-led projects, including helping build schools in Guatemala, paving roads in Indonesia, and co-funding a factory in Colombia that produces organic fertilizer, along with many other producer-driven initiatives.

With over 121 years of collective roasting experience, Stumptown roasters taste-test beans up to seven times during the roasting process to ensure the exceptional quality they’re known for. We are thrilled to bring Stumptown to the Alaskan Interior and proud to serve you not just great coffee, but coffee you can truly feel good about drinking.