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A Trip to Africa: Day 1 - Arriving In Uganda
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A Trip to Africa: Day 1 - Arriving In Uganda
In January 2014, CEO & Co-Founder Paul Katzeff traveled to Africa to meet with two of our producer cooperatives. In this blog series, Paul shares his experience in Uganda and Rwanda.
We arrived in Uganda (Entebbe Airport) at midnight. In two hours we were in Jinja to visit a coffee cooperative that is producing organic Robusta coffee. This might be the only organic Robusta in the world - so I was eager to meet the farmers. Our hosts and drivers were from Communities of Shalom, a US-based interfaith social justice organization based at Drew University that has been doing Economic Development work at the cooperative for the past nine months. They work to build community strength and empower coffee farmers to run their cooperatives effectively - so that they can benefit farmers and their families. We awoke the following morning to see Lake Victoria from our hotel window. Lake Victoria is the headwaters to the Nile. I felt the water, just as I did the Mississippi River 50 years ago when I first crossed it. It felt good!
Chairperson Fredrick Kibalama and CEO of Thanksgiving Coffee , Paul Katzeff
On the Coop chairman's farm we posed for a picture. Note the large Mango tree in the background and the Banana tree under it to the left. The weather was mild, about 80 degrees, and the sun was beginning to warm the top of my head. Fredrick's farm was about as self-sufficient food wise as one would enjoy here in the USA.
Here you can see the coffee trees being shaded by the Banana trees and the large trunk in the background of a very tall Mango tree shading all the undergrowth, keeping the ground cool and the moisture in this soil. I loved the Sign that reads "Organic Power Plant," a broad-based double-meaning set of words. One cow's manure will fertilize 1,000 coffee trees per year and the urine tea provides nitrogen. No waste here. Plus, milk and cheese for the family. Organic Power Plant indeed!
Robusta coffee is processed using what is called "The Dry Method." The cherries put out in the sun to dry. Fredrick had some recent pickings drying on a plastic mat when we arrived and about another 25 pounds of ripe cherries ready for sun drying with the cherry pulp still on the cherry. You can see how they turn black when they dry. In this photo I am smelling the de-hulled and finished coffee that was taken from the paper bag next to the sack of cherries. The beans were clean and sweet smelling and foretold, I hope, a bright future in the cup.
When I congratulated the farmers on a job well done, Moses (the Community's political leader) and the farmers were happy campers. This is because last year, the sample brought back to me was dirty and moldy, so I rejected it and sent instructions for them to follow for the next harvest season. This time, I was there to buy their coffee if it was clean and smelled sweet. Robusta is not a coffee variety that is noted for its flavor but it is useful in many other ways (body in Espresso blends for one). I agreed to purchase the coffee and I became the coop's first international buyer.
In this photo, my associate and Board member of Thanksgiving Coffee who is an expert on coffee supply chain infrastructure (how to get it from there to here), was explaining something we found by pure luck. It was, as I explained to the farmers, perfect timing that we arrived to see a potential disaster averted. Nick was showing them the problem. On the mat in front of him, the black drying cherries had a white mold softly covering the skins. The cherries were allowed to dry too slowly. They were probably not covered at night and the dew promoted the mold growth.
But, as luck would have it, there was a fresher lot to the right on the same mat and it was mold free. The lessons were there to be drilled home. All it took was a smell test and everyone knew what was needed, especially when I told them that the moldy smell was just a smell, but could they imagine drinking a coffee that tasted moldy ? The batch was separated and the potential for the coop coffees improved...if word gets out to all the farmers in the Coop.
To be continued
-Paul
A Trip to Africa (series archive)
Day 2 – Dancing, Mango Trees & the Dry Mill
Day 4 – Transparency, Trust & Relationships
Day 5 - Coffee Quality & A New Mystery
Day 6 – The Mystery Coffee’s Story
Recommended Reading
Back to the Blog-
![How To Grow Coffee Trees]()
The Roots of Your Morning Brew: Understanding the Coffee Plant
For many, coffee is the ritualistic start to the day, a beloved beverage that energizes and comforts. Yet, beyond the steaming cups and aromatic brews lies the coffee plant, a botanical wonder that is the genesis of every coffee lover’s journey. At the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee Company is a deep appreciation for this living tree source—the company respects and values the entire process, from the nurturing soil that cradles the seed to the satisfying sip that completes the circle. We have been connecting to this plant by growing our own coffee trees right here for many years.
Coffee Trees Growing at the Thanksgiving Coffee Company Office
Anatomy of the Coffee Plant: More Than Just Beans
The coffee plant, with its glossy green leaves and ripe cherries, is both an aesthetic marvel and a complex organism. Beneath the soil, its roots anchor the plant and absorb vital nutrients. Above ground, the leaves play a crucial role in photosynthesis, while the bright red cherries house the precious beans inside. It's these beans that, once processed and roasted, give rise to the alluring aromas and rich flavors that characterize each cup of coffee.
Varied Flavors: The Many Varieties of Coffee Plants
Ripe coffee cherries on the Arabica coffee tree grown at the office
When you think of coffee, the two dominant species: Arabica and Robusta, likely come to mind. Arabica is prized for its smoother, more nuanced taste, while Robusta is revered for its robustness and higher caffeine content. However, there exists a myriad of lesser-known varieties, each with its own unique flavor profile, waiting to be discovered by eager coffee connoisseurs.
From the Soil to your first Sip: How Terroir Affects Your Coffee
Like fine wine, coffee is influenced by its terroir—the environment in which it's grown. The climate, soil composition, and even the angle of sunlight on the slopes where coffee plants thrive collectively contribute to the coffee's flavor profile. These factors, often subtle and complex, define a coffee's body, acidity, and notes, creating an array of tastes as diverse as the landscapes from which they come.
Ripe cherries harvested from our coffee trees.
Ready to Discover the Flavor of Your Own Coffee
If you are inspired to develop a closer relationship with your coffee and want to lean into the root system of your daily coffee ritual, we have a series for you. Our co-founder Paul Katzeff has been growing coffee trees at home for years, and will lead you through his process.
Check out the series:
Part I: The Beauty of Growing Coffee Trees in Your Home
Part II: All you Need to Know About Growing Coffee Trees At Home
Part III: Caring For Your Coffee Tree
Coffee Tree Source:
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
How To Grow Coffee Trees
read more -
![Paul's Blend: Roots of Justice]()
Roots of Justice | Paul’s Blend –
Our Founders’ RoastJanuary is a month of return.
After the rush of the holidays, we slow down, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead. At Thanksgiving Coffee Company, January brings us back to the beginning - to the land, the relationships, and the values that shaped who we are.Paul’s Blend is where that story starts.
Born on the Mendocino Coast in 1972, this Founders’ Roast honors Paul Katzeff’s lifelong belief that coffee could be more than a commodity - that it could be a tool for justice, dignity, and connection between people and place.
This is the coffee that carries our roots.
Paul Katzeff at the original roastery on Noyo Harbor, CA
A Cup Born from Mendocino
Thanksgiving Coffee Company was founded in a working harbor town shaped by fishermen, artists, and back-to-the-land dreamers. Mendocino’s rugged coastline and radical imagination influenced everything - from how we roasted coffee to how we built relationships with farmers around the world.
Paul’s Blend reflects that origin story. It is a classic medium roast crafted with consistency and care, developed through decades of roasting experience and long-standing partnerships with smallholder farmers.
This is not a trend coffee.
It’s a foundational one.Original roastery on the Noyo Harbor, California
Ariel view of the Noyo Harbor with original roastery and new roastery
Roots of Justice in Every Cup
Paul Katzeff came to coffee as a social worker and community organizer. That background shaped the values that still guide Thanksgiving Coffee today:
- Long-term, direct relationships with farming partners
- Paying prices that honor labor and sustain families
- Investing in farmer-led quality control and education
- Believing that quality of life and quality of coffee go hand in hand
Paul helped pioneer farmer-owned cupping labs, co-founded the Specialty Coffee Association, and advocated for organic and shade-grown coffee before it was mainstream.
Paul’s Blend is a tribute to that legacy - steady, thoughtful, and built for the long view.
Paul’s Blend Organic Medium Roast coffee.
Flavor Profile: A Foundational Medium Roast
Paul’s Blend is designed to be approachable, balanced, and deeply satisfying—an everyday coffee shaped by decades of craft and care.
Tasting Notes:
- Blueberry and gentle fruit sweetness
- Smooth cocoa and milk chocolate tones
- Soft cashew nuttiness
- Clean, comforting finish
It’s a coffee that meets you in the morning and stays with you through the day - expressive without being loud, familiar yet layered, and grounded in the flavors Paul has always loved most.
Paul's Blend is one of the award-winning coffee roasts from our 2017 Roaster of the Year prize.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and the Roots of Economic Justice
January is also a time to honor leaders who shaped the path toward justice, dignity, and shared responsibility. As we observe Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on Dr. King’s enduring belief that civil rights and economic justice are inseparable - that a truly just society must honor the dignity of labor and ensure fairness within the systems that sustain everyday life.
Dr. King spoke often about the moral responsibility of both institutions and individuals, calling for an economy rooted in respect, equity, and human worth. He believed that progress is built not only through historic moments, but through consistent, values-driven actions - often quiet and unseen- that collectively shape the future.
Choosing where your coffee comes from is one of those choices. Every cup of Paul’s Blend supports long-standing relationships, ethical sourcing, and a belief that economic fairness begins with respect and reciprocity.
The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where civil rights and economic justice were brought together in a call for dignity, fair labor, and shared humanity.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom stands as a powerful reminder that the movement for civil rights was also a movement for economic justice. It called for fair labor, living wages, and systems that recognize the full dignity of every person’s work.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that justice must be woven into daily life - from wages and work to how communities care for one another. As we reflect on this moment in January, we are reminded that meaningful change is carried forward through sustained commitment and everyday choices - values lived out not only in moments of history, but in the practices we choose to uphold.
Paul’s East Harlem Buying Club, 1962
These photographs document a food buying club organized by mothers in East Harlem in 1962, operating out of the basement of a public housing project. Faced with high food prices, limited access to fresh ingredients, and the daily pressures of poverty, these women came together to solve a shared problem: food security for their families.
By pooling resources and purchasing food collectively, they lowered household food costs and increased disposable income - profits were shared, and expenses reduced through cooperation rather than competition. The food they sourced reflected their own cultural traditions, allowing families to eat healthier, familiar meals while maintaining dignity and autonomy.
Mothers in East Harlem working together in 1962 to organize a cooperative food buying club, using collective purchasing to improve food access, reduce costs, and strengthen community resilience. Photos by Paul Katzeff
An unexpected outcome emerged alongside the economic impact. The act of solving a community problem together fostered pride, hope, and a renewed sense of agency. The enthusiasm visible in these images reflects more than a transaction - it reveals the mental and emotional benefits of collective action and women-led leadership.
This grassroots model would later inform the next generation of food cooperatives, including Ukiah Natural Foods, and ultimately influence the cooperative principles that shaped businesses like Whole Foods Market. Long before “alternative food systems” entered the mainstream, these women demonstrated that necessity, creativity, and cooperation could build resilience from the ground up.
The values that shaped this moment - cooperation, dignity, and shared prosperity - would later shape how Paul approached coffee. Paul’s Blend carries that lineage forward, offering a daily ritual grounded in justice, relationship, and care.
Simple Recipe:
Paul’s Mendocino Morning LatteA grounding ritual for the start of the year.
Ingredients:
- Double espresso brewed with Paul’s Blend
- Steamed milk
- Light honey drizzle
Instructions:
- Pull a double espresso using Paul’s Blend.
- Steam milk until silky.
- Combine and finish with a gentle honey drizzle.
Enjoy slowly - best paired with a quiet January morning and a clear intention for the day ahead.
A Cup That Started a Movement
Paul’s Blend is more than our Founders’ Roast.
It’s a reminder of what’s possible when coffee is rooted in land, relationship, and justice.As we begin a new year, we invite you to start your mornings with intention - grounded in gratitude, guided by values, and connected to a story that began over fifty years ago on the Mendocino Coast.
Where to Go Next
Stay Connected
Join our Mailing List - for stories from origin, brewing tips, and seasonal releases.
With Gratitude Since 1972
To our farmers, our Mendocino community, and everyone who shares this daily ritual with us - thank you.
Your cup carries our roots forward.
Not Just a Cup, But a Just Cup™
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Paul's Blend: Roots of Justice
read more -
![Global Citizenship Through Coffee: The Bridges We Build]()
COFFEE AS A CULTURAL BRIDGE
December on the Mendocino Coast carries a special kind of quiet as the fog lifts off the headlands, the lights in kitchen windows glow, and that first cup of coffee warms cold hands. This December we want to celebrate Global Citizenship: the understanding that every cup we brew is connected to lives and landscapes far beyond our own.
For more than fifty years, coffee has been our medium.
Our message is building connection.From our roastery in Fort Bragg spanning all the way to the hillsides of Rwanda, our work is guided by our intention: to inspire possibility and awaken potential in the communities we serve.
This month, we honor Rwanda’s story of healing, the spirit of the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award, and the farmers whose craft fills your cup.
Honoring the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award
In 2008, the interfaith coffee farmers of East Africa and Thanksgiving Coffee Company were honored with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award from the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts University.
The award recognized:
- our commitment to ethical and fair trade;
- our work empowering and connecting farmers and consumers;
- our pursuit of economic and social justice and environmental sustainability;
- and our belief that every person can help create a more peaceful world.
For us, this wasn’t simply a recognition of the past, but a compass for the future. It affirmed what has always been at the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee: coffee as a bridge between cultures, between faiths, and between people who may never meet but are deeply connected through the choices we make every day.
Rwanda: Rebuilding Through Relationship
Dukunde Kawa Cooperative farms span ten kilometers in Rwanda’s northern hills, where over 80% of members are women. Fair Trade Certified and winners of the SCAA Sustainability Award, this cooperative produces elegant coffee through meticulous daily harvesting and processing. Farmers bring fresh cherries to central washing stations in Musasa, where they are depulped, fermented, washed, and dried on raised beds—creating a cup with natural sweetness, citric brightness, and deep cocoa notes.
Coffee Farmers sorting coffee cherries, Rwanda
Mother and coffee farmer of Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, Rwanda
Rwandan coffee growing in the hills
Overlooking the drying racks from atop a beautiful mountain view, Rwanda
Gorilla Fund Legacy
Our relationship with Rwanda began in 2004, when Co-Founder Joan Katzeff traveled there to establish her first solo international partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. It was a defining moment in our history — a woman-led sourcing journey rooted in relationship, ecological responsibility, and courage.
In 2005, Co-Founder Paul Katzeff followed as part of a USAID initiative, working alongside Rwandan cooperatives to develop cupping labs and strengthen farmer-led quality. Together, Joan and Paul built a partnership that connected coffee farming, community renewal, and gorilla conservation across almost two decades.
Through this collaboration, we launched the Gorilla Fund Cause Coffee line in 2005, using Fairtrade Rwandan coffee to support the protection of mountain gorillas and the communities who share their habitat. In 2017, we expanded this legacy with Grauer’s Gorilla Coffee, made with Organic and Fairtrade beans from the Congo to support critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas.
In total, our Gorilla Fund Coffees raised $106,209 to support conservation, education, and habitat protection in Rwanda and the Congo.
This partnership reflects the heart of our ethos: a cup that protects life, uplifts communities, and strengthens the ecosystems we all share.
A December Pairing: Coffee + Cake
Featured Coffee: Rwanda Dukunde Kawa
This Rwanda Single Origin is the featured coffee of the month. It is an invitation to taste the elegance and strength of Rwandan craftsmanship. This is a coffee to slow down with. One to sip while you read, cook, or watch the morning light move across your own horizon.
- Red plum brightness
- Hibiscus and floral lift
- Honeyed sweetness
- Cocoa depth
- Clean, lingering finish
Featured Recipe: East African Coconut Cardamom Cake
A simple, beautiful cake inspired by coastal East African flavors, created to pair with Rwanda Single Origin. Best made with organic ingredients.
Serves: 8
Time: ~10 minutes prep + 35 minutes bake
Difficulty: EasyIngredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup canned coconut milk (full-fat preferred)
- ½ cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional but lovely)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the coconut milk, melted butter or oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If using, sprinkle shredded coconut evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes in a round pan (or up to 40 minutes in a loaf pan), until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy a slice with a fresh cup of Rwanda Single Origin, and notice how the cardamom and coconut cradle the coffee’s brightness in a gentle, inviting way.
How to Practice Global Citizenship with Your Cup
Global citizenship can feel like a big idea, but it lives in very small, daily choices.
Here are a few simple ways to bring this theme to life:
- Brew with intention. Take a quiet moment to acknowledge the farmers, land, and hands that brought this coffee to you.
- Learn a farmer story. Visit our blog and read more about our origin partners and interfaith cooperative work.
- Share a cup. Make Rwanda coffee for a friend, neighbor, or coworker, and tell them a bit about the people behind the beans.
- Leave a review. Your feedback helps us tell farmer stories and grow support for relationship-grown coffee.
- Stay connected. Join our email list for monthly stories from origin, regenerative sourcing updates, and recipe pairings.
Every time you choose coffee that honors the people and our planet, you’re participating in a different kind of economy. An economy that is rooted in gratitude, reciprocity, and long-term relationship.
To our long-time customers and to those finding us for the first time, thank you. Your daily coffee ritual makes this work possible.
To the farmers of Rwanda: we see your courage, your craft, and your commitment to community. It is our honor to stand in partnership with you.
From our harbor in Fort Bragg to your table, may this season remind us how deeply connected we truly are, and how every choice we make can help shape a more just and compassionate world.
Not Just A Cup, But A Just Cup™
Lavender Grace is the Sustainable consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Global Citizenship Through Coffee: The Bridges We Build
read more - our commitment to ethical and fair trade;
The Roots of Your Morning Brew: Understanding the Coffee Plant
For many, coffee is the ritualistic start to the day, a beloved beverage that energizes and comforts. Yet, beyond the steaming cups and aromatic brews lies the coffee plant, a botanical wonder that is the genesis of every coffee lover’s journey. At the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee Company is a deep appreciation for this living tree source—the company respects and values the entire process, from the nurturing soil that cradles the seed to the satisfying sip that completes the circle. We have been connecting to this plant by growing our own coffee trees right here for many years.
Coffee Trees Growing at the Thanksgiving Coffee Company Office
Anatomy of the Coffee Plant: More Than Just Beans
The coffee plant, with its glossy green leaves and ripe cherries, is both an aesthetic marvel and a complex organism. Beneath the soil, its roots anchor the plant and absorb vital nutrients. Above ground, the leaves play a crucial role in photosynthesis, while the bright red cherries house the precious beans inside. It's these beans that, once processed and roasted, give rise to the alluring aromas and rich flavors that characterize each cup of coffee.
Varied Flavors: The Many Varieties of Coffee Plants
Ripe coffee cherries on the Arabica coffee tree grown at the office
When you think of coffee, the two dominant species: Arabica and Robusta, likely come to mind. Arabica is prized for its smoother, more nuanced taste, while Robusta is revered for its robustness and higher caffeine content. However, there exists a myriad of lesser-known varieties, each with its own unique flavor profile, waiting to be discovered by eager coffee connoisseurs.
From the Soil to your first Sip: How Terroir Affects Your Coffee
Like fine wine, coffee is influenced by its terroir—the environment in which it's grown. The climate, soil composition, and even the angle of sunlight on the slopes where coffee plants thrive collectively contribute to the coffee's flavor profile. These factors, often subtle and complex, define a coffee's body, acidity, and notes, creating an array of tastes as diverse as the landscapes from which they come.
Ripe cherries harvested from our coffee trees.
Ready to Discover the Flavor of Your Own Coffee
If you are inspired to develop a closer relationship with your coffee and want to lean into the root system of your daily coffee ritual, we have a series for you. Our co-founder Paul Katzeff has been growing coffee trees at home for years, and will lead you through his process.
Check out the series:
Part I: The Beauty of Growing Coffee Trees in Your Home
Part II: All you Need to Know About Growing Coffee Trees At Home
Part III: Caring For Your Coffee Tree
Coffee Tree Source:
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
How To Grow Coffee Trees
read more
Roots of Justice | Paul’s Blend –
Our Founders’ Roast
January is a month of return.
After the rush of the holidays, we slow down, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead. At Thanksgiving Coffee Company, January brings us back to the beginning - to the land, the relationships, and the values that shaped who we are.
Paul’s Blend is where that story starts.
Born on the Mendocino Coast in 1972, this Founders’ Roast honors Paul Katzeff’s lifelong belief that coffee could be more than a commodity - that it could be a tool for justice, dignity, and connection between people and place.
This is the coffee that carries our roots.
Paul Katzeff at the original roastery on Noyo Harbor, CA
A Cup Born from Mendocino
Thanksgiving Coffee Company was founded in a working harbor town shaped by fishermen, artists, and back-to-the-land dreamers. Mendocino’s rugged coastline and radical imagination influenced everything - from how we roasted coffee to how we built relationships with farmers around the world.
Paul’s Blend reflects that origin story. It is a classic medium roast crafted with consistency and care, developed through decades of roasting experience and long-standing partnerships with smallholder farmers.
This is not a trend coffee.
It’s a foundational one.
Original roastery on the Noyo Harbor, California
Ariel view of the Noyo Harbor with original roastery and new roastery
Roots of Justice in Every Cup
Paul Katzeff came to coffee as a social worker and community organizer. That background shaped the values that still guide Thanksgiving Coffee today:
- Long-term, direct relationships with farming partners
- Paying prices that honor labor and sustain families
- Investing in farmer-led quality control and education
- Believing that quality of life and quality of coffee go hand in hand
Paul helped pioneer farmer-owned cupping labs, co-founded the Specialty Coffee Association, and advocated for organic and shade-grown coffee before it was mainstream.
Paul’s Blend is a tribute to that legacy - steady, thoughtful, and built for the long view.
Paul’s Blend Organic Medium Roast coffee.
Flavor Profile: A Foundational Medium Roast
Paul’s Blend is designed to be approachable, balanced, and deeply satisfying—an everyday coffee shaped by decades of craft and care.
Tasting Notes:
- Blueberry and gentle fruit sweetness
- Smooth cocoa and milk chocolate tones
- Soft cashew nuttiness
- Clean, comforting finish
It’s a coffee that meets you in the morning and stays with you through the day - expressive without being loud, familiar yet layered, and grounded in the flavors Paul has always loved most.
Paul's Blend is one of the award-winning coffee roasts from our 2017 Roaster of the Year prize.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and the Roots of Economic Justice
January is also a time to honor leaders who shaped the path toward justice, dignity, and shared responsibility. As we observe Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on Dr. King’s enduring belief that civil rights and economic justice are inseparable - that a truly just society must honor the dignity of labor and ensure fairness within the systems that sustain everyday life.
Dr. King spoke often about the moral responsibility of both institutions and individuals, calling for an economy rooted in respect, equity, and human worth. He believed that progress is built not only through historic moments, but through consistent, values-driven actions - often quiet and unseen- that collectively shape the future.
Choosing where your coffee comes from is one of those choices. Every cup of Paul’s Blend supports long-standing relationships, ethical sourcing, and a belief that economic fairness begins with respect and reciprocity.
The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where civil rights and economic justice were brought together in a call for dignity, fair labor, and shared humanity.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom stands as a powerful reminder that the movement for civil rights was also a movement for economic justice. It called for fair labor, living wages, and systems that recognize the full dignity of every person’s work.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that justice must be woven into daily life - from wages and work to how communities care for one another. As we reflect on this moment in January, we are reminded that meaningful change is carried forward through sustained commitment and everyday choices - values lived out not only in moments of history, but in the practices we choose to uphold.
Paul’s East Harlem Buying Club, 1962
These photographs document a food buying club organized by mothers in East Harlem in 1962, operating out of the basement of a public housing project. Faced with high food prices, limited access to fresh ingredients, and the daily pressures of poverty, these women came together to solve a shared problem: food security for their families.
By pooling resources and purchasing food collectively, they lowered household food costs and increased disposable income - profits were shared, and expenses reduced through cooperation rather than competition. The food they sourced reflected their own cultural traditions, allowing families to eat healthier, familiar meals while maintaining dignity and autonomy.
Mothers in East Harlem working together in 1962 to organize a cooperative food buying club, using collective purchasing to improve food access, reduce costs, and strengthen community resilience. Photos by Paul Katzeff
An unexpected outcome emerged alongside the economic impact. The act of solving a community problem together fostered pride, hope, and a renewed sense of agency. The enthusiasm visible in these images reflects more than a transaction - it reveals the mental and emotional benefits of collective action and women-led leadership.
This grassroots model would later inform the next generation of food cooperatives, including Ukiah Natural Foods, and ultimately influence the cooperative principles that shaped businesses like Whole Foods Market. Long before “alternative food systems” entered the mainstream, these women demonstrated that necessity, creativity, and cooperation could build resilience from the ground up.
The values that shaped this moment - cooperation, dignity, and shared prosperity - would later shape how Paul approached coffee. Paul’s Blend carries that lineage forward, offering a daily ritual grounded in justice, relationship, and care.
Simple Recipe:
Paul’s Mendocino Morning Latte
A grounding ritual for the start of the year.
Ingredients:
- Double espresso brewed with Paul’s Blend
- Steamed milk
- Light honey drizzle
Instructions:
- Pull a double espresso using Paul’s Blend.
- Steam milk until silky.
- Combine and finish with a gentle honey drizzle.
Enjoy slowly - best paired with a quiet January morning and a clear intention for the day ahead.
A Cup That Started a Movement
Paul’s Blend is more than our Founders’ Roast.
It’s a reminder of what’s possible when coffee is rooted in land, relationship, and justice.
As we begin a new year, we invite you to start your mornings with intention - grounded in gratitude, guided by values, and connected to a story that began over fifty years ago on the Mendocino Coast.
Where to Go Next
Stay Connected
Join our Mailing List - for stories from origin, brewing tips, and seasonal releases.
With Gratitude Since 1972
To our farmers, our Mendocino community, and everyone who shares this daily ritual with us - thank you.
Your cup carries our roots forward.
Not Just a Cup, But a Just Cup™
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Paul's Blend: Roots of Justice
read more
COFFEE AS A CULTURAL BRIDGE
December on the Mendocino Coast carries a special kind of quiet as the fog lifts off the headlands, the lights in kitchen windows glow, and that first cup of coffee warms cold hands. This December we want to celebrate Global Citizenship: the understanding that every cup we brew is connected to lives and landscapes far beyond our own.
For more than fifty years, coffee has been our medium.
Our message is building connection.
From our roastery in Fort Bragg spanning all the way to the hillsides of Rwanda, our work is guided by our intention: to inspire possibility and awaken potential in the communities we serve.
This month, we honor Rwanda’s story of healing, the spirit of the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award, and the farmers whose craft fills your cup.
Honoring the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award
In 2008, the interfaith coffee farmers of East Africa and Thanksgiving Coffee Company were honored with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award from the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts University.
The award recognized:
- our commitment to ethical and fair trade;
- our work empowering and connecting farmers and consumers;
- our pursuit of economic and social justice and environmental sustainability;
- and our belief that every person can help create a more peaceful world.
For us, this wasn’t simply a recognition of the past, but a compass for the future. It affirmed what has always been at the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee: coffee as a bridge between cultures, between faiths, and between people who may never meet but are deeply connected through the choices we make every day.
Rwanda: Rebuilding Through Relationship
Dukunde Kawa Cooperative farms span ten kilometers in Rwanda’s northern hills, where over 80% of members are women. Fair Trade Certified and winners of the SCAA Sustainability Award, this cooperative produces elegant coffee through meticulous daily harvesting and processing. Farmers bring fresh cherries to central washing stations in Musasa, where they are depulped, fermented, washed, and dried on raised beds—creating a cup with natural sweetness, citric brightness, and deep cocoa notes.
Coffee Farmers sorting coffee cherries, Rwanda
Mother and coffee farmer of Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, Rwanda
Rwandan coffee growing in the hills
Overlooking the drying racks from atop a beautiful mountain view, Rwanda
Gorilla Fund Legacy
Our relationship with Rwanda began in 2004, when Co-Founder Joan Katzeff traveled there to establish her first solo international partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. It was a defining moment in our history — a woman-led sourcing journey rooted in relationship, ecological responsibility, and courage.
In 2005, Co-Founder Paul Katzeff followed as part of a USAID initiative, working alongside Rwandan cooperatives to develop cupping labs and strengthen farmer-led quality. Together, Joan and Paul built a partnership that connected coffee farming, community renewal, and gorilla conservation across almost two decades.
Through this collaboration, we launched the Gorilla Fund Cause Coffee line in 2005, using Fairtrade Rwandan coffee to support the protection of mountain gorillas and the communities who share their habitat. In 2017, we expanded this legacy with Grauer’s Gorilla Coffee, made with Organic and Fairtrade beans from the Congo to support critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas.
In total, our Gorilla Fund Coffees raised $106,209 to support conservation, education, and habitat protection in Rwanda and the Congo.
This partnership reflects the heart of our ethos: a cup that protects life, uplifts communities, and strengthens the ecosystems we all share.
A December Pairing: Coffee + Cake
Featured Coffee: Rwanda Dukunde Kawa
This Rwanda Single Origin is the featured coffee of the month. It is an invitation to taste the elegance and strength of Rwandan craftsmanship. This is a coffee to slow down with. One to sip while you read, cook, or watch the morning light move across your own horizon.
- Red plum brightness
- Hibiscus and floral lift
- Honeyed sweetness
- Cocoa depth
- Clean, lingering finish
Featured Recipe: East African Coconut Cardamom Cake
A simple, beautiful cake inspired by coastal East African flavors, created to pair with Rwanda Single Origin. Best made with organic ingredients.
Serves: 8
Time: ~10 minutes prep + 35 minutes bake
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup canned coconut milk (full-fat preferred)
- ½ cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional but lovely)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the coconut milk, melted butter or oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If using, sprinkle shredded coconut evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes in a round pan (or up to 40 minutes in a loaf pan), until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy a slice with a fresh cup of Rwanda Single Origin, and notice how the cardamom and coconut cradle the coffee’s brightness in a gentle, inviting way.
How to Practice Global Citizenship with Your Cup
Global citizenship can feel like a big idea, but it lives in very small, daily choices.
Here are a few simple ways to bring this theme to life:
- Brew with intention. Take a quiet moment to acknowledge the farmers, land, and hands that brought this coffee to you.
- Learn a farmer story. Visit our blog and read more about our origin partners and interfaith cooperative work.
- Share a cup. Make Rwanda coffee for a friend, neighbor, or coworker, and tell them a bit about the people behind the beans.
- Leave a review. Your feedback helps us tell farmer stories and grow support for relationship-grown coffee.
- Stay connected. Join our email list for monthly stories from origin, regenerative sourcing updates, and recipe pairings.
Every time you choose coffee that honors the people and our planet, you’re participating in a different kind of economy. An economy that is rooted in gratitude, reciprocity, and long-term relationship.
To our long-time customers and to those finding us for the first time, thank you. Your daily coffee ritual makes this work possible.
To the farmers of Rwanda: we see your courage, your craft, and your commitment to community. It is our honor to stand in partnership with you.
From our harbor in Fort Bragg to your table, may this season remind us how deeply connected we truly are, and how every choice we make can help shape a more just and compassionate world.
Not Just A Cup, But A Just Cup™
Lavender Grace is the Sustainable consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Global Citizenship Through Coffee: The Bridges We Build
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Our 2024 Impact Report
At Thanksgiving Coffee, every roast begins with a question: What really matters?
In 2024, we found answers by listening—to farmers, to customers, to our team, and to the land. The result is the most honest and grounded Impact Report (pdf) yet: a reflection of where we’ve been and where we’re headed next.
As we simplify our product line to focus on what we do best, we’re holding tight to the relationships and regenerative values that have always defined our work. That means sourcing from smallholder cooperatives, supporting ecological resilience, and roasting every bean with care and intention.
“Coffee, when done right, Is A Relationship.”
In 2024, we listened more deeply than ever:
⭐ 88.9% of our green coffee was Certified Organic
⭐ $91,529 donated to causes we care about
⭐ Verified health and income gains from clean energy investments in Uganda
⭐ Roasting with purpose for 52 years and counting
Our Ongoing Commitments
We remain committed to being ethically sourced and artisan roasted, maintaining over 88% of our coffees certified Organic, and guiding all purchases by our Purchasing for a Healthier Planet criteria. (This criteria was established in 1995 and is still going strong.)
While we're retiring many of our Cause Coffees this year, a few important ones will remain and their impact continues. From restoring pollinator habitat to protecting migratory bird forests, your daily cup still fuels change where it’s needed most.
Biodiversity loss is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and we’re proud to stand with the growers, ecologists, and educators who are working to reverse it—one forest, one garden, one farm at a time.
Past Impact Reports
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company