Established in 2011, Dear Green Coffee Roasters is a coffee roaster and supplier of exclusively ‘speciality’ grade coffee beans. They are based a stone’s throw from Greencity and were the obvious choice to ask for help when we wanted to develop a new Organic coffee blend. We loved working with them and hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about them too.

 

For people who don’t know Dear Green, tell us a little about how you started and how the business developed.

Dear Green started as a one woman enterprise - roasting coffee in a small space by the Clyde and supplying freshly roasted coffee to independent businesses around Glasgow, delivering by bike! The business has progressed in many ways since those early days in 2011, we now have 2 more roasters, a larger team, we supply nationally and have taken the time to visit the coffee producers we work with in order to ensure we source responsibly. We are proudly now one of the first organisations in the UK to achieve B Corp certification, ensuring our onward journey is not only about excellent coffee but is also audited for social and environmental responsibility. We are of course also certified Organic and are so happy to partner with Greencity to supply freshly roasted, fully traceable, Organic certified coffee which is also specialty grade and therefore tastes great too!

 

As this brochure arrives with our customers, Organic September is just starting. You roast the Dear Green City blend for us - is the demand for Organic coffee growing?

Organic coffee is still a very niche market and one which comes at a premium price. Like all coffee categories, demand for certified Organic coffee on the world coffee trading market has gained momentum in recent years. It still accounts for a small proportion of coffee produced but is a growing category, driven by an increased awareness of climate change and a shift in consumers making choices based on sustainability and wellness. We’re so happy that we can collaborate with Greencity to bring this product to more customers who enjoy the benefits of Organic as well as the sensory appeal of freshly roasted specialty grade coffee.

 

You’re the brains behind the Glasgow Coffee Festival. What are the best things about it?

The best thing for me is bringing together loads of great businesses and consumers who are excited about specialty coffee! We’re a small and widespread community and have grown and developed over the years. Now a two day event, the festival celebrates collaboration in the coffee industry whilst also supporting and promoting local businesses. We’re also a single-use-cup free event which makes me immensely proud. We hope it’s an example that can become the norm!

 

How important is sustainability to you as a company?

Hugely important! We live and breathe sustainability in every touch point of Dear Green; this led us to being one of the first certified B Corp coffee roasters in the UK and to pledging for Net Zero. We’ve always looked for the most ethical solutions and the B Corporation framework and supportive network is inspiring us and informing us on our journey, one UN Sustainable Development Goal at a time!

 

Post Covid, what are the small things you are appreciating more?

Having a garden, I almost felt guilty about that during lockdown! I’m also very appreciative of family and friends and of the colleagues and customers who have stood by me! It has been an extremely challenging time for everyone - having good people around has made all the difference. Having the privilege of living in the western world is also something I try to not take for granted.

 

Like us, your name is connected to Glasgow. What do you love about the city?

I’ve always had a love affair with Glasgow, I love the sights and the sounds, the music, the food and the art and the architecture, all of which is ingrained in the city’s culture. I love that the city is small enough that you’ll always bump into someone you know yet big enough that you can get lost in an adventure.

 

Thanks to Lisa at Dear Green Coffee for answering our questions! Find out more at www.deargreencoffee.com