News

On the Ground Update Feb 2026: Pre-financing Coffee in Bolivia
On the Ground Update Feb 2026: Pre-financing Coffee in Bolivia
Higher Grounds' and On the Ground’s pre-financing program offers short‑term loans to cooperatives so they can pay farmers immediately for their delivered crop. Read more...
Buying the Perfect Gifts for Specialty Coffee Lovers
Buying the Perfect Gifts for Specialty Coffee Lovers
Whether big or small, a festive gift is a simple way of reminding your loved ones that you’re thinking of them.  Read more...
Plug In With Schools For Chiapas and Support "Mother Seeds In Resistance"
Plug In With Schools For Chiapas and Support "Mother Seeds In Resistance"
Higher Grounds has deep roots in the Zapatista communities of Chiapas. Join us and our partners at Schools For Chiapas in supporting this important seed project. Mother Seeds in Resistance... Read more...
5 Great Holiday Gifts that Give Back
5 Great Holiday Gifts that Give Back
This year, as we adapt to these challenges and find new ways to celebrate, we have put together a Higher Grounds gift guide for 2020. But this guide has a... Read more...
Cooperative Coffees wins SCA Sustainability Award
Cooperative Coffees wins SCA Sustainability Award
We are thrilled to share that the importing cooperative we co-own has been recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association for our sustainability efforts and business model. Below is an edited version... Read more...
The Climate, Carbon, and Coffee Initiative
The Climate, Carbon, and Coffee Initiative
Higher Grounds is one of 23 North American roasters who collectively own Cooperative Coffees, our green coffee importer. The original version of this post originally appeared on Cooperative Coffees' blog... Read more...
Saveur du Kivu - DRC Coffee on the Rise
Saveur du Kivu - DRC Coffee on the Rise
Saveur du Kivu (SduK) is a celebration of the reemergence of coffee in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the specialty coffee cupping competition and annual meeting for representatives throughout... Read more...
The Congo Comeback
The Congo Comeback
The “Congo Comeback” showcases how an inclusive, collaborative, and equitable market system translates to stronger, more resilient, and diverse value chains. Read more...
Participants in a literacy workshop for women in South Kivu, DRC, 2019
Sustainability, Part 4: We need to collaborate towards sustainability and development at the same time.
When our values align to transcend competition between specialty coffee importers, roasters, and retailers, collaboration across the supply chain offers benefits that standard isolated markets can’t. Read more...
The 17 UNG Global Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainability, Part 3: Let's Put People First
A circular economic model is the vehicle required for change within the specialty coffee industry. When we operate along a continuous circle across our supply chain, we can build wealth and expertise... Read more...
Sustainability, Part 2: Price Matters a Lot, and it's just One Piece of the Puzzle
Sustainability, Part 2: Price Matters a Lot, and it's just One Piece of the Puzzle
A primary focus on climate change and cost of production skirts past addressing the basic needs of people and their communities. In order to enact change, we coffee companies need... Read more...
Prices vs. Reality: the True Cost of Coffee
Prices vs. Reality: the True Cost of Coffee
If we want to keep drinking delicious specialty coffee, we need to be willing to pay for it, and every link of the supply chain has to be profitable. Otherwise, the... Read more...