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Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and the Mustangs
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I met my first wild horse in a movie theatre in Greenwich Village in 1963.
The story behind Wild Grounds Coffee
By Paul Katzeff, Co-Founder & Roastmaster Emeritus
He was on the wrong end of a lasso being held by Clark Gable. The horse was bucking and raising up on his hind legs, pulling desperately away from his capture. Marilyn Monroe was pulling on Clark’s hand pleading for the horses freedom. Clark was determined to get his horse and another payday. The Name of the Movie was The Misfits and was about three Aging Cowpokes who once made their living capturing Mustangs and selling them into the slaughter houses for meat. In this movie they complained about how the horses were no longer in abundance , hard to find and it was impossible to make a decent days pay capturing the ‘things’. Maralyn was as beautiful as the horses eyes, fierce now but with long lashes and deep deep soft eyes. Marilyn was beautiful but it was the Mustang, fighting for her freedom, that stole my heart,
Today, 58 years later there is a similar story playing out on the millions of square miles of rangeland between the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas. Today it is not aging cowboys in Pick up trucks and lassos , but Federal Agents in Helicopters rounding up entire herds of free horses and burros and their children, often in the chaos separating family members or driving the horses to their death in the frenzy. Hay Feds, what’s the problem?
The round ups gather the horses into corals so they wont compete for the space grassland feed out there on the range. Thet range is for the Beef Cattle ! Our government leases our citizen owned land to cattle ranchers they can make money selling beef to our meat eating society of which I must admit , I am one. The cost of feeding jailed Mustangs is estimated to be in the billions. And why, when the 1970 Congress afforded Mustangs America’s protection, has all the Bureau of Land Management continued to harass the best symbols of freedom we have ?
A horse has eyes that tell a story. Each of us who have looked into the eyes of a Mustang will never forget the moment , never.
Yes, it happened for me long ago in a movie theatre but last October, on the way from Northern California to Phoenix to play baseball , I pulled my car onto a a sandy dirt road to nowhere and drove into the dessert just to see what was out there on that dirt road to nowhere. About five miles in, there they were ! Three magnificent free roaming Mustangs …and they were looking at me from a hill about a home runs distance away. I stopped, my heart jumping , I exited my car and laid down on the very hot sand and stared back. Finally, the circle was complete. I saw them alive and free.
Who belongs on that land we, as citizens own but have delegated the responsibility for their safety to The Bureau of Land Management to secure ? And why has the BLM chosen to represent the Cattle Industry and not our Mustangs?
When I discovered that others of my kind were fighting for them too, we joined the American Wild Horse Campaign and created a coffee package to tell coffee lovers whose side we were on. As with our other Cause Coffee programs, we wanted to empower our customers to help raise funds and awareness for this important work.
Horse and stuntman in the 1960 film "The Misfits"
Every time you purchase a package of AWHC coffee, Thanksgiving Coffee Company donates $3.00 to the AWHC.
When we are a bit further past this COVID-19 Pandemic we are planning a visit, jointly with AWHC staff, to visit and see these magnificent spirits up close. I hope you will be able to come with us. Until then, buy their coffee and know you are on the bus with us. And let me use that old expression , “The steak is as good as the sizzle “ when I say that the coffee inside the package is as good as it gets. You be the judge.
Wild Grounds Coffee
supports the American Wild Horse Campaign
The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is dedicated to preserving American wild horses and burros in viable free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage.
Since 2004, this organization has been raising awareness and making change for America’s wild horses. Thanksgiving Coffee Company has partnered with them to create Wild Grounds, a cause coffee to save the wild horses.
Recommended Reading
Back to the Blog-
![Cause Coffee Legacy Guide]()
Your Guide to Our Legacy Cause Coffees
This season, we’re making an important change to our coffee lineup, including our Cause Coffees. As we simplify our offerings, here’s how to stay connected to the causes you care about. Thank you for supporting coffees that give back.
Starting in September, we're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings. With a simplified lineup, we can focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
This means saying goodbye to a few long‑time favorites, including some of our beloved Cause Coffees.
We will continue to offer SongBird Coffees and Bee Bold Medium Coffee.
While some coffees will no longer be available in our online store, our commitment to the causes and communities they support remains as strong as ever. In many cases, we'll continue to support these causes through private-label collaborations.
Support These Causes & Find Your Next Favorite Roast
The following Cause Coffees are retiring, but the missions they support continue on. We encourage you to visit their websites and sign up for their newsletters to stay connected. Plus, explore our recommended alternative coffee roasts — and keep brewing with purpose.
Delicious Peace
Continue to support INTERFAITH UGANDA. The spirit of Delicious Peace lives on beyond coffee. One of the cooperative’s original founders, Sinina Namidosi, transformed her crochet skills into a thriving artisan collective: Nabugoye Crafts.
- For Medium Roast → Try Rwanda Single Origin or Bee Bold Medium
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
Bee Bold Alliance *
Continue to support PROTECTING POLLINATORS.
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
* Note that Bee Bold Medium Roast is still available.
Save Our Wolves
Continue to support DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna
or Songbird Colombian - For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Mara Elephant Project
Continue to support WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN KENYA
- For Light Roast → Try Kenya - Nyeri Peaberry or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Baby Rhino Rescue
Continue to support PROTECTING ENDAGERED SPECIES
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Mendocino Land Trust
Continue to support LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Wild Grounds
Continue to support AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast →Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers
Continue to support COASTAL HERITAGE
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Redwood Forest Reserve
Continue to support ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVATION
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Continue Supporting Causes You Love
To help the causes behind these beloved coffees continue to thrive, we encourage you to:
- Visit the cause’s website and sign up for their newsletter.
- Purchase their private label coffee directly, where available.
- Follow their work on social media and share their story.
Thank you for continuing to support these causes—and our ongoing cause coffees below.
our ongoing Cause Coffees
Join us in our evolution
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Cause Coffee Legacy Guide
read more -
![Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey]()
Simplifying to Serve You
The coffee landscape is dramatically different than it was when we began this journey 53 years ago.
In those early days, we built our lineup coffee by coffee — adding blends and single origins as new beans became available and relationships grew. For decades, harvests were plentiful and sourcing was straightforward.
Today, the world of coffee is evolving. Climate shifts, supply chain realities, and changing customer preferences mean we need to be as thoughtful and resourceful as possible to keep doing what we do best: bringing you exceptional coffee with integrity.
Change for the Better
We're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings, starting in September. With a simplified lineup of coffees, we'll focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
By simplifying our offerings, we will:
- Deepen our support for the farmers we work with through more focused purchasing.
- Maintain freshness and quality in every cup we roast.
- Stay nimble in a changing coffee landscape, so we can continue being your favorite coffee company for years to come.
What This Means For You
We know change isn’t always easy — especially when it means saying goodbye to a favorite. But change also creates space for something new.
- Nearly every retiring coffee has a suggested alternative: matched for flavor, roast level, and story.
- All coffees will remain listed on our website, so you can easily find info about alternatives or select a bulk purchase option.
- Cause Coffees: For special details on replacements and recommendations, visit our Cause Coffee page.
- Bulk options: Many coffees will still be available in 5 lb bags, even if they’re not sold in retail-size packaging. We’re happy to share our best practices for keeping coffee fresh in larger quantities.
Find Your Next Favorite Cup
We know you might be wondering, “What will replace my favorite?”
Here’s the list of our retiring coffees with the roasts we recommend in their place — each one carefully matched for flavor, roast, and story.
- ⏳ Albion River Inn Blend → Try Paul’s Blend
- ⏳ Beaujolais Blend → Try Old Town French
- ⏳ Costa Rica → Try Peru
- ⏳ Delicious Peace Dark → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳Delicious Peace Medium → Try Rwanda
- ⏳ Guatemala → Try Song Bird Guatemalan
- ⏳ Hazelnut → Available in 5lb bag
- ⏳ MacCallum House Blend → Try Beaujolais FTO
- ⏳ Mocha Java FTO → Try Mocha Java Classic
- ⏳ Nicaragua → Try Song Bird Nicaragua
- ⏳ Vienna → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳For Cause Coffees →See Cause Coffee Guide
Our Commitment Remains the Same
For over five decades, we’ve been devoted to ethically sourced, artisan roasted coffee — and that will never change. Every decision we make is rooted in our mission:
- Source with integrity
- Roast with care
- Honor the stories behind every coffee bean
Thank you for growing with us, embracing new favorites, and sharing our belief that coffee is more than a drink. It's a daily connection to people, to our planet, and our sense of purpose.
With gratitude since 1972,
The Thanksgiving Coffee Team
You might be interested in...
Sold outSold outSold out
Lavender Grace is the sustainability consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey
read more -
![Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024]()
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.
Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Partnership with the Noyo Food ForestLearn more about how we support our Mother Earth
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024
read more -
![Rwanda Resilience in Every Cup: Coffee with a Climate Impact]()
Taste the Bright Future of Coffee
Our Rwanda Single Origin offers more than just incredible flavor—it’s a coffee that supports community resilience. Grown at high elevations in Musasa, Rwanda, by the Dukunde Kawa Cooperative.This medium roast delivers:- Tasting Notes: Vibrant citrus, delicate florals, and a smooth honey finish
- Mouthfeel: Silky and refreshing, with a bright, clean finish
- Perfect for: Pour over, drip, or French press—ideal for your morning clarity ritual
Rwanda Single Origin Coffee with citrus, floral, and honey tasting notes from Dukunde Kawa.
Why Dukunde Kawa Coffee Matters
Dukunde Kawa means “Let’s love coffee”—a name that reflects their commitment to people, planet, and flavor. This Rwandan cooperative is internationally recognized for combining exceptional quality with climate action.
Here's what climate resilience in action looks like:- 2,500+ clean cook stoves installed, reducing wood use by 70%
- Tree nurseries restoring biodiversity and combating soil erosion
- Women’s leadership with 80% women participation at the Ruli washing station
Every bag of Rwanda Single Origin supports these impactful programs, making every cup an act of regeneration and reciprocity.
Sources: Dukunde Kawa Sustainability Programs and Thanksgiving Coffee Dukunde Kawa Story
Rwanda Coffee Farm
Brew a Better Morning, Support a Better Future
Every time you brew Rwanda Single Origin, you:- Support healthier homes with clean cook stove initiatives
- Restore forests and farms through reforestation efforts
- Empower women farmers, nurturing local leadership
Recipe: Cold Brew for Summer Brightness
Show off the bright notes of Rwanda Single Origin with this easy cold brew:- Coarse grind 1 cup of beans
- Steep in 4 cups of filtered water for 12-14 hours
- Serve over ice with a twist of fresh orange peel
Refreshing, vibrant, and perfect for a summer coffee ritual.
Explore More Flavor Stories
Lavender Grace is the Sustainable Ecology Advocate for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Rwanda Resilience in Every Cup: Coffee with a Climate Impact
read more -
![Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee]()
The Story Of SOPPEXCCA: Empowerment Through 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
The $40,000 Unpaid Work Fund: Valuing Invisible Labor
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.
The Global Context of Unpaid Labor
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
Environmental Stewardship Meets Social Justice
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
The Economic Impact Of Ethical Investment
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
Try this delicious coffee and support a more balanced and just economy for the women of Soppexcca.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee
read more
Your Guide to Our Legacy Cause Coffees
This season, we’re making an important change to our coffee lineup, including our Cause Coffees. As we simplify our offerings, here’s how to stay connected to the causes you care about. Thank you for supporting coffees that give back.
Starting in September, we're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings. With a simplified lineup, we can focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
This means saying goodbye to a few long‑time favorites, including some of our beloved Cause Coffees.
We will continue to offer SongBird Coffees and Bee Bold Medium Coffee.
While some coffees will no longer be available in our online store, our commitment to the causes and communities they support remains as strong as ever. In many cases, we'll continue to support these causes through private-label collaborations.
Support These Causes & Find Your Next Favorite Roast
The following Cause Coffees are retiring, but the missions they support continue on. We encourage you to visit their websites and sign up for their newsletters to stay connected. Plus, explore our recommended alternative coffee roasts — and keep brewing with purpose.
Delicious Peace
Continue to support INTERFAITH UGANDA. The spirit of Delicious Peace lives on beyond coffee. One of the cooperative’s original founders, Sinina Namidosi, transformed her crochet skills into a thriving artisan collective: Nabugoye Crafts.
- For Medium Roast → Try Rwanda Single Origin or Bee Bold Medium
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
Bee Bold Alliance *
Continue to support PROTECTING POLLINATORS.
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
* Note that Bee Bold Medium Roast is still available.
Save Our Wolves
Continue to support DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna
or Songbird Colombian - For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Mara Elephant Project
Continue to support WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN KENYA
- For Light Roast → Try Kenya - Nyeri Peaberry or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Baby Rhino Rescue
Continue to support PROTECTING ENDAGERED SPECIES
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Mendocino Land Trust
Continue to support LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Wild Grounds
Continue to support AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast →Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers
Continue to support COASTAL HERITAGE
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Redwood Forest Reserve
Continue to support ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVATION
- For Medium Roast → Try Paul’s Blend or Songbird Nicaraguan
- For Dark Roast → Try Mendocino Vienna or Songbird Colombian
- For Decaf → Try Royal Decaf or Songbird Decaf
Continue Supporting Causes You Love
To help the causes behind these beloved coffees continue to thrive, we encourage you to:
- Visit the cause’s website and sign up for their newsletter.
- Purchase their private label coffee directly, where available.
- Follow their work on social media and share their story.
Thank you for continuing to support these causes—and our ongoing cause coffees below.
our ongoing Cause Coffees
Join us in our evolution
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Cause Coffee Legacy Guide
read more
Simplifying to Serve You
The coffee landscape is dramatically different than it was when we began this journey 53 years ago.
In those early days, we built our lineup coffee by coffee — adding blends and single origins as new beans became available and relationships grew. For decades, harvests were plentiful and sourcing was straightforward.
Today, the world of coffee is evolving. Climate shifts, supply chain realities, and changing customer preferences mean we need to be as thoughtful and resourceful as possible to keep doing what we do best: bringing you exceptional coffee with integrity.
Change for the Better
We're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings, starting in September. With a simplified lineup of coffees, we'll focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
By simplifying our offerings, we will:
- Deepen our support for the farmers we work with through more focused purchasing.
- Maintain freshness and quality in every cup we roast.
- Stay nimble in a changing coffee landscape, so we can continue being your favorite coffee company for years to come.
What This Means For You
We know change isn’t always easy — especially when it means saying goodbye to a favorite. But change also creates space for something new.
- Nearly every retiring coffee has a suggested alternative: matched for flavor, roast level, and story.
- All coffees will remain listed on our website, so you can easily find info about alternatives or select a bulk purchase option.
- Cause Coffees: For special details on replacements and recommendations, visit our Cause Coffee page.
- Bulk options: Many coffees will still be available in 5 lb bags, even if they’re not sold in retail-size packaging. We’re happy to share our best practices for keeping coffee fresh in larger quantities.
Find Your Next Favorite Cup
We know you might be wondering, “What will replace my favorite?”
Here’s the list of our retiring coffees with the roasts we recommend in their place — each one carefully matched for flavor, roast, and story.
- ⏳ Albion River Inn Blend → Try Paul’s Blend
- ⏳ Beaujolais Blend → Try Old Town French
- ⏳ Costa Rica → Try Peru
- ⏳ Delicious Peace Dark → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳Delicious Peace Medium → Try Rwanda
- ⏳ Guatemala → Try Song Bird Guatemalan
- ⏳ Hazelnut → Available in 5lb bag
- ⏳ MacCallum House Blend → Try Beaujolais FTO
- ⏳ Mocha Java FTO → Try Mocha Java Classic
- ⏳ Nicaragua → Try Song Bird Nicaragua
- ⏳ Vienna → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳For Cause Coffees →See Cause Coffee Guide
Our Commitment Remains the Same
For over five decades, we’ve been devoted to ethically sourced, artisan roasted coffee — and that will never change. Every decision we make is rooted in our mission:
- Source with integrity
- Roast with care
- Honor the stories behind every coffee bean
Thank you for growing with us, embracing new favorites, and sharing our belief that coffee is more than a drink. It's a daily connection to people, to our planet, and our sense of purpose.
With gratitude since 1972,
The Thanksgiving Coffee Team
You might be interested in...
Lavender Grace is the sustainability consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey
read more
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.
This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.
Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Partnership with the Noyo Food Forest
Learn more about how we support our Mother Earth
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024
read more
Taste the Bright Future of Coffee
- Tasting Notes: Vibrant citrus, delicate florals, and a smooth honey finish
- Mouthfeel: Silky and refreshing, with a bright, clean finish
- Perfect for: Pour over, drip, or French press—ideal for your morning clarity ritual
Rwanda Single Origin Coffee with citrus, floral, and honey tasting notes from Dukunde Kawa.
Why Dukunde Kawa Coffee Matters
Dukunde Kawa means “Let’s love coffee”—a name that reflects their commitment to people, planet, and flavor. This Rwandan cooperative is internationally recognized for combining exceptional quality with climate action.
- 2,500+ clean cook stoves installed, reducing wood use by 70%
- Tree nurseries restoring biodiversity and combating soil erosion
- Women’s leadership with 80% women participation at the Ruli washing station
Every bag of Rwanda Single Origin supports these impactful programs, making every cup an act of regeneration and reciprocity.
Sources: Dukunde Kawa Sustainability Programs and Thanksgiving Coffee Dukunde Kawa Story
Rwanda Coffee Farm
Brew a Better Morning, Support a Better Future
- Support healthier homes with clean cook stove initiatives
- Restore forests and farms through reforestation efforts
- Empower women farmers, nurturing local leadership
Recipe: Cold Brew for Summer Brightness
- Coarse grind 1 cup of beans
- Steep in 4 cups of filtered water for 12-14 hours
- Serve over ice with a twist of fresh orange peel
Explore More Flavor Stories
Lavender Grace is the Sustainable Ecology Advocate for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Rwanda Resilience in Every Cup: Coffee with a Climate Impact
read more
The Story Of SOPPEXCCA: Empowerment Through 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
The $40,000 Unpaid Work Fund: Valuing Invisible Labor
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.
The Global Context of Unpaid Labor
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
Environmental Stewardship Meets Social Justice
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
The Economic Impact Of Ethical Investment
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
Try this delicious coffee and support a more balanced and just economy for the women of Soppexcca.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee
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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.
Sarah Corrales on her families coffee farm
Byron Corrales hugging a tree on his family coffee farm
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.
Benita Corrales, Byron's mother
The first meeting with Thanksgiving Coffee Company in 1992- Left Byron Corrales, Right Arnulfo Corrales
Arnulfo Corrales, Byron's father
Left to right - Thanksgiving Coffee's Co-Founder Paul Katzeff, Byron Corrales, and Nick Hodgkins (Etico -The ethical trading company)
the Art Of Processing
Byron with drying natural Maracaturra coffee beans.
Corrales' artisanal approach to processing begins long before the cherries reach the beneficio (drying patio). On his farm, every element serves an integral function in creating exceptional coffee. This includes the carefully selected forage crops sustaining his cattle, whose manure enriches the compost used around the coffee trees, as well as the diverse pollinators - from honeybees to other beneficial insects - that support optimal cherry development.
For Corrales, successful coffee processing stems from creating a balanced, thriving ecosystem that produces the highest quality cherries possible for processing. This foundation of environmental harmony directly influences the clarity and complexity of his final cup.
The Natural process is when the coffee cherries are dried whole, without removing the pulp or using water or machines, and has become Byron’s preferred method for many reasons, as he explained in this video. It is a very good choice to reduce the use of fossil fuels and for water conservation, as well as the added antioxidant health benefits.
The Living Systems Of Los Pinos
At Finca los Pinos, every element serves multiple purposes in an intricate dance of mutual support:
- Native and planted trees provide essential shade and soil health
- Free-ranging cattle contribute to natural fertilization cycles
- Coffee cherry pulp (cascara) is recycled into nutritious cattle feed
- Birds and beneficial insects maintain natural pest control
- Pine trees create unique conditions that enhance both soil and coffee quality
Los Pinos coffee farm looking out over the forest
Soil: The Foundation of Life
Byron Corrales with his hands full of soil
Byron's approach to soil health demonstrates the core principles of regenerative agriculture. "The farmers that produce with agrochemicals and herbicides destroy the life of the soil," he observes. "We protect it." This protection includes:
- Maintaining ground cover to retain moisture
- Supporting microorganism and mycorrhizal networks
- Using natural fertilization methods
- Working with, rather than against, natural processes
“I feel really happy that those who drink my coffee are drinking a cup of life”
Byron Corrales
Climate Resilience Through Diversity
Great video produced by Viva La Finca - Virtual origin experience - Byron Corrales of Finca Los Pinos
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
The Unique Maracaturra Experience
This regenerative approach culminates in the cultivation of Maracaturra, a special variety found only at Finca los Pinos. This unique hybrid of Maragoype and Caturra (Bourbon) produces a truly exceptional coffee with:
- Juicy apricot aromatics
- Rich cashew nuttiness
- A deeply toned sweet cacao finish
- Remarkable sweetness unique to the large bean size
- Complex flavor elements impossible to achieve with conventional varieties
A Vision for the Future
"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.
Each cup of Byron's coffee embodies a powerful truth: regenerative agriculture can produce extraordinary coffee while healing the earth.
Our Byron's Blend is where ancient farming wisdom meets modern artistry. By masterfully combining washed and natural processed Maracaturra coffees, we create a harmonious cup that showcases the finest expressions of both methods. The result is more than a blend – it's a testament to coffee craftsmanship at its peak.
As Byron himself reminds us with characteristic wisdom: we are "celebrating with joy the responsibility of protecting the future of our generations." In every sip, you taste that promise.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.