Full Circle

A BIGG Week in Detroit
Some of you know I have been traveling a LOT lately . . .  and that my travels are connected to coffee.

My work with One BIGG Island in Space (OBIIS) is all about changing what happens in the coffee supply chain. Why? Because 89% of coffee producers make less for their crop than what it costs them to produce it. That is not tenable, nor is it humane. 

I am part of the team trying to change that by forming partnerships (read, long-term relationships) with producers doing the right thing for their people, the planet, and their community.

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“While the news often features the worst of humanity, there are a billion acts of human kindness every hour of every day! Take another breath and sense this truth.”

~ Jack Kornfield

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Hello, beauties!

When we travel places in search of a new Farm Partner, the OBIIS team asks a LOT of questions. We walk the fields. We check out the supply sheds. We talk to the workers. We typically stay on the farm and share meals with one another. We ask questions about farming techniques, agricultural practices, finances, values, and community involvement. We spend time getting to know the entire family, and we are open to any and all questions. 

Why such intensity during our first get together? 

Because we have a lot to figure out!

By the end of our shared time, we need to know if we’ll be coming back for a second visit. Think of it like this. Our first visit is the equivalent of a “first date”  . . . and by the end of this date? We need to know if there will be a second. 

On a second date, we’ll really be getting into all of the details of what a committed partnership would like. In other words, are we getting engaged? 😄

By our third date? We’re all lined up and ready to say, “I DO!” 

Finding these amazing humans to partner with takes time and effort. We are looking for extraordinary people who are already doing amazing things for people, planet, and their communities. 

It seems fair that our Farm Partners get to come into “our house” and see everything we are up to. And that’s what this past week has been about. 

BIGGBY Coffee holds an annual meeting called BIGGBY NATION SUMMIT. As part of the OBIIS program called Full Circle, we bring in some of our producers and partners to the annual meeting. 

Most coffee farmers have NO IDEA what happens to their crop once it leaves their farm. Remember, a coffee plant is only harvested once per year. So, people work LONG hours, every day, all year round, to get paid once for their crop . . . and then that’s it. They don’t know where it goes or what it becomes. 

Full Circle changes that, and it’s beautiful to witness all that unfolds. 

For example. Take a look at the photo at the top. Please meet Rodin and Denis Villatoro from Hoja Blanca, Guatemala. I’ve been to their farms. I’ve stayed in their home, eaten their delicious food, met their families, and asked so many questions. 

Now, it was their turn. The photo features Rodin and Denis serving some Farm-Direct coffee out the drive through window at a BIGGBY Coffee in Michigan. They got to see the joy on the customer’s faces as people enjoyed specialty coffee direct from our Farm Partners.

In the second photo, meet Rodin’s dad, Aurelio Villatoro. This photo captures a super surreal Full Circle moment for me, personally. 😍

The first work I ever did for OBIIS was to design a calendar featuring photos and stories of the producers we partner with. The calendar is now in its third edition, and it was so exciting to ask Aurelio for his autograph!

There’s so much more to share about the connections formed throughout our week in Detroit. Bringing everyone in the Coffee Supply Chain to the same table is really unique and very special! And while it’s not always perfect, it is a better way to buy coffee. We CAN make a difference one cup of coffee at a time. 

Farm-Direct IS a better way. 

Thank you for being here and being on this path.

Full of heart light and love,
~m