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• Where
Leeds, AL
• Founders
Alex Varner, Josh Kelly and Glenn Smith
• The Story
Higher Ground began operations in 2002. All 3 founders had experience
in the coffee business, with Josh having worked for a local roaster.
They decided they could roast better coffee than was available,
and, due to a dearth of quality roasters in the area, they had to
do lots of research and self-education.
They began with the commitment that they would only roast and sell
certified-fair-trade, organic and shade-grown coffees, and they
had to educate and develop their own customer base from scratch.
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• Locations
No retail locations - just roasting
• Passions
Higher Ground has been committed from the outset to sustainability
by only selling certified fair-trade, organic and shade-grown coffees,
purchasing renewable energy and donating to their "1% for the
Planet" program, in which they contribute one percent of all
gross sales to environmental and educational nonprofits. They also
have an afterburner that reduces 98 percent of the roaster's emissions.
Although small, they do take trips to origin to work with their
farmers, and they hope to take more trips in the future.
• Awards
Roast Magazine: 2008 Micro Roaster of the Year
• Web Site
www.highergroundroasters.com
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