Brewing Goodness: The Studio Coffee's Commitment to Women and Family-Owned Farms and Sustainable Coffee
Celebrating International Coffee Day
At Studio Coffee, we're more than just a specialty coffee company.
We are a family-owned business with a deep-rooted passion for specialty coffee.
Alan Phillips is the founder of The Studio Coffee Roasters (2017), and he learnt his craft from one of the best in the business, Kees Kraakman of Amsterdam's Keppler Coffee where he certified as a member of the European Speciality Coffee Association. (SCA)
The Studio name comes from his beloved Studio where all the roasting, packaging design and new product inspiration began for brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
His son Colm, now head roaster at the Studio Coffee, also SCA certified, trained at the prestigious London school of Coffee under Jamie Banweld. He now seeks out the finest coffees from estates and cooperatives around the world to roast them in small batches.
Colm says “Our core purpose is to combine our resources, experience, knowledge, and passion for flavour to ultimately produce a super tasty and affordable product for everyone to enjoy.”
The quality on offer has been recognised over the years with 17 great taste award stars, and this year they were awarded a coveted 3 star in the UK Great Taste awards, the highest rating for any coffee product in Ireland.
Defined as - ‘extraordinarily tasty food and drink’.
The Studio Coffee sources their coffee from family-owned and women-owned farms across 14 countries, in Africa, Central America, and South America.
They believe in the power of these family-owned farms and actively aim to source from them.
These small-scale operations are the backbone of the coffee industry, often producing some of the most flavourful and unique beans.
By partnering with family-owned farms, Studio Coffee Roasters are not just sourcing coffee; they are supporting entire communities. We work closely with these farmers, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their hard work and have the resources they need to thrive.
Women- owned farms
The Studio Coffee are proud to support women-owned coffee farms such as our COSTA RICA- Rita Aguilera by Doña Rita who is a part of Bean Voyage.
Bean Voyage is a feminist, non-profit organisation working with women coffee producers with the objective of eradicating the gender gap in farming communities.
This organisation has created women-only discussion groups to strengthen the women producer’s confidence and create a safe space for them to share their experiences and support each other. They also do in-person and digital training involving a higher level of technology to track progress and test the farmers on their knowledge.
Bean Voyage also works on finding better markets for the micro lots produced with sustainable partners and fair prices paid. And this is how we started this partnership. On average, smallholder farming families see a 300% increase in farm income from farm-related activities after joining Bean Voyage this is due to a better quality of the coffees but also better market chains for the products.
Women play a crucial role in coffee production, but they often face unique challenges. By sourcing from women-owned farms, we're helping to break down barriers, empower women entrepreneurs, and create economic opportunities.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core value at The Studio Coffee.
Committed to minimising their environmental impact and supporting sustainable practices throughout their supply chain.
To support internal objectives, before we do business with a supplier, we check their sustainable practices. Price and sustainable practices is always the first thing we address.
Over the last 5 years we have focused a lot on sustainable farm practices and our carbon footprint. We have visited our key coffee farms to review and assess their processes. We have managed to source almost 90% of our cost of sales (coffee packaging, labels, coffee warehouse) all within 35 km of our roastery.
In addition, we pay more than 30% more for our coffee. It's important to us to support the farmers who grow specialty coffee beans to enable them to invest in education and quality processes, and to develop sustainable farming practices for the future.
One of our coffee bean suppliers is a shining example of sustainability in action. They utilise solar power to run their entire farm, reducing their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, they make their own organic fertiliser, promoting healthy soil and reducing the need for harmful chemicals. Their commitment to wildlife, plant, and water conservation ensures that their land is protected for generations to come.
By sourcing coffee from specific regions and roasting it in small batches, we can preserve the individual characteristics of each bean. Our 15kg Giesen roaster allows us to carefully control the roasting process.
We're a family-owned business dedicated to supporting small-scale farmers, empowering women, and promoting sustainability. Our commitment to quality, ethics, and sustainability is reflected in every cup of great specialty coffee we serve.
You can find Studio Coffee Roasters here: https://thestudiocoffee.com/
And on Instagram @thestudiocoffee
