Las Mingas, Direct Trade & Auction Coffee

The Las Mingas Project is a quality-driven project that works to establish long-term relationships between independent coffee farmers in Colombia and a handful of specialty roasters around the world. As part of this program, we are paying farmers far more for their crop than they would via Fair Trade. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is one of only a few American roasters in this program. We are currently working with other farming groups to start similar relationships.

Direct Trade is not a certification. It’s a buying philosophy. We strive to make sure that the coffee growing farmer or group is paid more for it than through regular channels. To make it work, the coffee has to be exceptional and worthy of a high price AND we need to have a positive working relationship with farmers, exporters and importers. This is the direction that Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is going as we grow.

The coffee auctions we participate in benefit individual farmers or small groups, like the Cup of Excellence. Or they benefit specific causes like Grounds for Health. We buy coffee at these auctions because we usually get terrific coffee and we can introduce our customers to causes that can help coffee-growing communities. And farmers are well rewarded for the hard work it takes to produce exceptional coffee.

Philosophy | Roasting | Cupping | Sourcing

Organic | Micro-Lots | Direct Trade