From their beginnings at the base of Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, independent, locally-owned Caffe Vita has been roasting coffee since 1995. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Before sustainability and fair trade became buzzwords, they were helping pioneer the Farm Direct movement, because they’re not just passionate about good coffee. They’re committed to developing long-term, mutually fruitful relationships with the farmers who grow that coffee. This mission leads them all over the globe in search of exceptional coffees, and every coffee they purchase must have a fully traceable path from farm to roaster.

Caffe Vita now operates nine cafes in the Pacific Northwest, a roasteria cafe in New York City and Portland, and a cafe in Los Angeles. But expansion has not changed their commitment to sustainability for farmers or their own community. They offer Public Brew School classes on how to brew better coffee at home, and work with many charities in their area, including Farestart, Arts Corps, Food Lifeline, Music Cares, and more. Fun fact: Their Papua New Guinea (PNG) coffee is a collaboration with the Woodland Park Zoo and the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program that helps protect the home of this endangered animal while also generating income for the community in the PNG YUS area.