In January 2022, Perfect Daily Grind examined how improving gender equity can strengthen coffee production, featuring Higher Grounds Director of Coffee Jennifer Yeatts, Higher Grounds Director Chris Treter, and Herman Lwango of partner nonprofit On the Ground. The article explores barriers women coffee producers face—including unequal access to land, credit, education, information, and decision-making—and how addressing those inequities can improve coffee quality, productivity, and livelihoods.

The feature highlights Higher Grounds and On the Ground’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including women’s education and training, Saveur du Kivu, Run Across Congo, and the Gender Action Learning System. It also discusses Higher Grounds coffees that support gender equity initiatives, including the Awaken blend and microlots produced by women members of the COMSA cooperative in Honduras. The story reflects Higher Grounds’ belief that investing in women and expanding access to resources can strengthen families, coffee-growing communities, and the coffee supply chain as a whole.