About
How a high school project turned into a direct trade experiment.
The Origin Story
It started with a simple question: "Who picked this?"
I was sitting in a café, looking at a bag of expensive Geisha coffee. It had a nice label, tasting notes of jasmine and bergamot, and a price tag of $40. But nowhere on the bag did it say who actually did the work.
I decided to find out. I used my summer break to travel to the Boquete region in Panama. I didn't stay in a hotel; I stayed on the farm.
What I'm doing now
- Running educational tastings at my school to explain the coffee supply chain.
- selling "Drop of Panama" beans where 100% of profits go back to the farm infrastructure.
- Documenting the stories of the harvest team to give them the recognition they deserve.
Values
Radical Transparency
Every dollar is accounted for. No hidden margins.
Dignity First
We ask for consent before taking photos. We tell stories of skill, not pity.
Direct Impact
Funds go to specific projects requested by the workers, like school supplies or drying beds.