Joe Seta putting out samples with CEO Jonah Katzeff . Josh Long brewing the coffee in back.

We chose to serve coffees in a variety of roast spectrums: two of our Lights Roasts: Ethiopian Natural process, and Ethiopian washed process; a Guatemalan Dark roast, The Upsetter espresso, and our Royal Decaf coffees (see links below). Except for the espresso and a batch of cold brew Ethiopian natural, we brewed everything else via French Press which made us compete very well against our competitors who were making their coffee in pour overs. Our preference is the ESPRO French Press with its multiple filter layers. The total immersion of a French press develops a depth of flavor with which a pour over just can't compete. We got great feedback on all our coffees – even the Decaf because we were the only presenter that offered one… and ours tastes as full-flavored as any other coffee.

Our Festival Team

left to right: Josh Long, Jennifer Brown, Jonah Katzeff, Nathan Niel

Our festival team included our CEO, Jonah, our cofounder Paul, Josh Long (Roaster), Nathan Nies (barista/Sales Representative), Jennifer Brown (Office Manager) and me. Our stylized baseball jerseys were Jennifer's idea and boy did they make our team look good. The jersey colors worked very well with our branded canopy and really helped make a cohesive statement visually.

We participate in this annual public event to help expand our brand presence in the Bay Area where we are represented but not nearly to the extent as many of the local competitors. It is very safe to say that a lot more of the Bay Area is now familiar with our name, our story, and the flavor of our coffee after this wonderful event.

left to right: Joe Seta, Josh Long, Jonah Katzeff, Nathan Nies

Cups at SF Coffee Fest: "Coffee - Africa's Gift to the World - You're Welcome"

Namanyonyi Co-op united a community

The wheels were set in motion many years ago when Thanksgiving Coffee began our work with the Ugandan Coffee Cooperative “Delicious Peace” to bring their Interfaith coffee to market. For those of you who have been following us on this unique journey, we want to share another perspective. It is an article written by an organization that understands cooperatives are run by people, and people have many ups and downs.

"We love this story of multiple faiths helping each other, moving beyond personal beliefs"

The Article For You To Read:

How A Coffee Co-op United A Community – And Was Reborn After A Leadership Crisis

More of our history with the Delicious Peace Cooperative:

2009: Delicious Peace Moves Forward

2014: A Trip To Africa

2020: Delicious Peace Coffee: A New Story

2023: Evolution of Change

Where it all began - the Delicious Peace Coffee

In the verdant highlands of Jinotega, Nicaragua, a revolutionary approach to gender equity is transforming the coffee industry. Led by the visionary Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA cooperative operates on a powerful belief: "Women's independence can only be achieved through economic autonomy and awareness."

"This groundbreaking initiative doesn't just produce exceptional coffee – it creates a model for sustainable economic justice." – Thanksgiving Coffee Company

What makes this partnership unique is SOPPEXCCA's pioneering recognition of women's traditionally invisible contributions to coffee production. This approach addresses a global challenge documented extensively by international organizations including the United Nations.

Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA'S General Manager

Since 2013, Thanksgiving Coffee Company has committed an additional $0.10 per pound of green coffee purchased from SOPPEXCCA – specifically allocated to recognize women's unpaid work. This initiative has now generated over $40,000 supporting women's economic empowerment.

According to UN Women research:

• Unpaid care work is essential to functioning economies but often goes uncounted and unrecognized
• Women—particularly from low-income, migrant, and racialized groups—perform more than three-quarters of unpaid care and domestic work globally
• If women's unpaid work were assigned monetary value, it would exceed up to 40% of GDP in some countries

Measurable Impact in Nicaragua

The SOPPEXCCA initiative has created transformative changes for women:

• Improved relationships among women in rural communities
• Increased active participation in economic decision-making processes
• Development of creative potential within family economies
• Financial independence through personal savings accounts
• Growing cooperative membership among women

"8 March ... Day of commemoration and new commitments for a world of equality, equity and respect .. Greetings female producers, friends and companions who have been with this organization on their way that has not been easy but together we have overcome a thousand adversities and will continue to be fighting ..." Soppexcca

Woman Farmers of Soppexcca Cooperative - Jinotego, Nicaragua

Shade Grown Coffee: Critical Habitat for Migratory Songbirds

SOPPEXCCA's commitment extends beyond economic justice. Their shade-grown cultivation methods create essential winter habitats for migratory songbirds, demonstrating how sustainable agriculture directly contributes to biodiversity conservation.

"When you choose SOPPEXCCA coffee, you're supporting both women's empowerment and environmental stewardship – values at the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee Company."

Woman Farmers from the Soppexxcca Cooperative - Jinotega, Nicaragua

UN Women's research reveals that investing in care infrastructure creates three times more jobs than equivalent investment in construction, with 70-90% of these jobs benefiting women.

The SOPPEXCCA fund represents precisely this kind of strategic investment.

Read about our support for the women of Soppexcca:

"Recognizing the Value of Womens Unpaid Work".

Celebrate the Women Coffee Farmers of Soppexcca

Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture

High in Nicaragua's pristine Arenal Forest Reserve, at 1,500 meters above sea level, Finca los Pinos stands as a testament to agricultural transformation. Here, Byron Corrales and his family have spent over four decades pioneering a different way of farming coffee. Since embracing organic practices in 1986, they've developed an innovative approach that works in perfect harmony with nature. Through their dedication to biodynamic farming, they've not only twice earned top honors for their extraordinary coffee, but they've also created a model for sustainable agriculture that's changing how we think about coffee cultivation.

A Legacy of Excellence

Our relationship with the Corrales family spans three generations, witnessing their evolution from traditional farming to becoming leaders in biodynamic agriculture. Byron's innovative spirit led him to develop the exceptional Maracaturra variety, a unique hybrid that produces remarkably large beans – distinctively bigger than typical Arabica coffee beans. This size isn't just for show; it allows for exceptional taste elements that smaller beans simply cannot achieve, delivering a remarkable sweetness and richness in every cup.

the Art Of Processing

Soil: The Foundation of Life

“I feel really happy that those who drink my coffee are drinking a cup of life”

Byron Corrales

Understanding the challenges of climate change, Byron has implemented robust adaptation strategies:

• Diverse tree species for enhanced shade coverage
• Strengthened soil biology
• Natural mineral enrichment
• Water conservation systems

"I want to transmit our family's art, our work of many years, discovering the flavors we've learned to bring forth from our mountains, expressed in this cup by way of respect for our environment," Byron shares. This respect for environment and commitment to regenerative practices creates coffee that is, in Byron's words, "the expression of life and the life energy of all the living beings who live in our community."

The Corrales Family from one of our origin trips.

Your morning coffee can be more than just a boost—it can drive positive change. With our Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification and our Bee Bold Alliance initiative, we're turning your daily coffee ritual into a force for good. Here's how we're making waves in the world of sustainable agriculture while serving up exceptional coffee.

Butterfly on coffee leaf, Soppexxcca Coop, Nicaragua

Our coffee farming goes beyond conventional methods. We nurture complete ecosystems where coffee plants thrive alongside native flora and fauna. A single coffee tree can support over 100 insect species, enhancing biodiversity on our farms.

coffee beans ripening in the understory of the forest canopy

Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in two key initiatives:

AT ORIGIN

 Smithsonian Bird Friendly ® Certification: This certification is literally the environmental gold standard in the sustainable coffee industry. As holders of the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification since 2015, we adhere to the most comprehensive, science-based standards in the coffee industry. This certification requires:

• Multiple layers of native tree canopy providing crucial wildlife habitat
• USDA Organic certification as a foundation, ensuring chemical-free farming
• Regular third-party inspections verifying our environmental impact
• Documented support of migratory birds and local biodiversity

Did you know? A single coffee tree on a certified farm can support over 100 distinct insect species!

AT HOME

 The Bee Bold Alliance: This is our initiative to restore biodiversity and support local food security through pollinator protection. The vision is to create a regenerative ecology network in our community for comprehensive pollinator protection. Here are the key principles guiding our path forward:

• Protecting the Soil: We're working toward eliminating harmful pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides from our farming practices. This transition aims to create healthier environments for pollinators while maintaining productive coffee cultivation.
• Watershed Stewardship: Our growing commitment includes developing better water conservation practices, reducing fertilizer usage, and implementing responsible waste management systems.
• Fostering Pollinator Forage: We're exploring ways to integrate more flowering plants throughout our local farms, aiming to provide year-round nutrition that supports healthy pollinator populations.
• Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: We're beginning to build relationships with Native/First Nation peoples in our growing regions, seeking to learn from their traditional knowledge and collaborate on sustainable solutions for the future.

We're reaching out to neighboring farms and communities, inviting them to join us in protecting pollinators. This initiative is beginning to form, and we believe that together, we can create meaningful change.

We believe in the power of collective action. Here are ways you can participate in this journey:

1. Choose coffee that aligns with your environmental values

2. Cultivate native wildflowers in your garden or community spaces

3. Consider natural pest management practices

4. Create undisturbed areas in your garden to provide natural habitats

5. Learn about pollinator-friendly plants suitable for your local ecosystem

We're at an exciting point in our environmental journey, where your choice of coffee can help shape future agricultural practices. Our Bird Friendly® certified coffee demonstrates our established commitment to environmental stewardship, while our developing Bee Bold Coffee initiative shows where we're heading. By choosing these products, you're not just selecting quality coffee—you're supporting the evolution of sustainable and pollinator-friendly agriculture.

Join us on this journey toward biodiversity conservation through sustainable agriculture. Your support through choosing our Bird Friendly® certified coffee and Bee Bold Coffee helps create positive environmental change, one cup at a time.