The cost of partnership coffee and why it's worth it!

A few weeks ago we wrote a blog called ‘Is my coffee getting more expensive?’ drawing attention to the crisis facing many Brazilian coffee farmers after frost destroyed much of their crops, and the resulting skyrocketing commodity price of coffee. Unfortunately our longterm friends, coffee farmers and owners of Cafe Labareda [aka Bom Jesus], Gabriel and Flavia Alfonso, lost a huge portion of their harvest and many of their damaged coffee shrubs will never recover.

Our partnership model for purchasing coffee means that we agree to share some of the risks.

As a result of the loses due to the frost event, Cafe Labareda’s cost for doing business has increased significantly. They have no choice but to pass on some of that cost to their partners [Commonfolk included] so that they can remain viable, re-plant the damaged coffee shrubs, and continue to invest into future harvests. The price we have agreed to pay for our staple lots from Cafe Labareda has increased over 20%, and some of this increase will be passed onto our loyal customers who support us in the same way we support our producing partners.

Starting 1st September 2021 the price of our iconic Godfather and Progress St espresso blends will increase by $1 for a 250g bag.

Cafe Labareda’s delicious coffee makes up a large portion of the Godfather blend and it gives it a smooth, bold chocolatey characteristic and its unique caramel notes. The slight increase in costs allows us to maintain the integrity and quality of the blend components , continue to support our coffee partners, and ensure that we’ll have great coffee through the good times and the bad.

If you’d like to understand more about how Commonfolk purchases our coffee, the impact of climate change on specialty coffee, or anything to do with our favourite little beans, don’t hesitate to call me on 0401 961 109.

In the meantime enjoy a picture of a pair of very fresh faced young roasters fan girling over Gabriel and Flavia back in 2014!

Ryan, myself, Flavia, Gabriel and Marcelo at Commonfolk in 2014

Ryan, myself, Flavia, Gabriel and Marcelo at Commonfolk in 2014

CoffeeSam Keck