Our Impact
EQUATOR COFFEES
Impact Report
Helen Russell & Brooke McDonnell founded Equator Coffees with the goal of sourcing and roasting world-class coffees, and building an inclusive company that took care of all stakeholders.
They felt that business could do more good than harm, and have spent the last 27 years refining how we quantify this. From our commitment to paying for our teams' healthcare to always looking for the most environmentally beneficial solutions to roasting and packaging, Equator Coffees believes in holistic sustainability.
As a certified B Corp since 2011, we focus on this stakeholder-centered approach and are constantly learning and improving.
Our goal in publishing this Impact Report (Jan. 2021 - Jun. 2022) is to bring you, our coffee community, into the conversation. We want to share our successes, be held accountable in areas that need improvement, and measure the metrics that matter.
Our Values
Good Coffee
FROM BEAN TO BREW
Our long-term relationships throughout the international coffee community allow us to source distinctive coffees directly from producers committed to excellence, sustainability, and responsible farming. Among many examples, we have been working with our partners El Batan in Ecuador for over fifteen years.
Sourcing and roasting the highest quality coffee is only possible with a transparent supply chain that contributes to the social welfare of farmers and producers. Through certification with Fair Trade USA, USDA Organic, B Corp, and now, for the first time in coffee, the Regenerative Organic Alliance, we ensure our supply chain benefits all stakeholders, which leads to environmental sustainability both at home and abroad.
Kind People
OUR REASON FOR BEING
At Equator, our community is our reason for being, and creating safe, inclusive spaces for all is at the heart of everything we do. Caring for our people starts within our own organization and goes beyond offering great benefits. From internal coffee education courses and training to paid volunteer time - we want our employees to feel like they are growing professionally while working for us.
Our community giveback programs focus on a vast array of social initiatives, and select coffees donate directly to our partners. Our Chefs program helps support important causes while simultaneously crafting outstanding coffees with industry-shaping and award-winning Chefs.
Better Planet
LEAVE IT BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT
Since 1995 we have believed that better coffee could create a better world.
And as the first certified B Corp coffee roaster in California, Equator is a demonstrative leader in sustainable practices. Unlike other certifications, B Corp certification measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact making B Corps leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.
From nonprofit partnerships and community giveback to energy-saving infrastructure such as our Loring Smart Roasters, Equator is committed to doing better business in order to create a better world.
Now offering
REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED™
We are proud to partner with Cooperativa Sacaclí to bring you the first Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC™) coffee ever available.
