Our Approach

We Have Respect for the Quality of Life.

All of our high-quality specialty coffees are certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Kosher, and are roasted fresh to order at our beanery in Orange, MA. We know that the planting, cultivation, harvesting and processing of the beans conforms with international standards for the health of the farmers and their environment, as well as the high quality of the beans.

The vast use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in conventional coffee production has long term negative impacts on coffee-growing ecosystems and the health of farming communities. Our commitment to purchase only Fair Trade, organic, shade grown coffees supports healthy environments for coffee growers, protecting biodiversity and critical migratory bird habitats. One of our core values is ensuring that the exceptional quality of our coffees includes respect for the quality of life of our southern partners in the coffee world. And that respect translates into superb tasting coffee for your pleasure.

DE-PULPING BEANS BY HAND IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

We Represent an Integrated Fair Trade System.

We know where our beans come from, and the farmers who grow them. Each player in our cycle of production and distribution, from the farmer to the consumer, participates in socially just and environmentally responsible trade. Over time, other coffee companies have followed our lead. We only purchase beans from small farmer cooperatives, often largely made up of indigenous peoples struggling to maintain their cultures and lifestyles. (Dean Cycon's career as a lawyer and activist in indigenous rights was one of the reasons he founded the company). We do not buy beans from large coffee estates and farms. We've been there, and have seen the conditions of chronic poverty and malnutrition that effect farmers growing those coffees. Take a look in your kitchen - do you know where your beans come from?

SUPPORTING FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS THE MAIN GOAL OF OUR FAIR TRADE APPROACH.

Dean's Beans is on the Forefront of Social Change in the Coffee Industry.

And we have been for a long time. We were the co-founders and creators of the international development program of Coffee Kids, Inc., the first non-profit development group in the coffee industry. We were also co-founders of Cooperative Coffees, Inc., the first roaster's cooperative created to buy direct, Fair Trade coffee from farmer coops, and make it available to any small roaster who wants to participate in the Fair Trade movement. We co-founded the Coffeelands Landmine Victims Trust, dedicated to helping coffee farmers who were victims of landmines in Central America get medical help, prosthetics, therapy and job re-training to support their families again.  We are also active members of the Fair Trade Federation, an international organization of dedicated 100% Fair Traders (no Starbucks, Green Mountain or poseurs allowed).

We Take our Work (and our Coffee) Seriously.

...although we have lots of fun doing it! We have been recognized internationally for the quality of our coffee and of our work in the world. Some highlights include:

• Roaster of the Year Finalist: Macro-roaster Category (Roast Magazine, US,
  2020, 2022, 2023)
• B Corp “Best for the World” - Community (2019, 2022)
• Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Award: Highly Commended Business Leader (First Place for a For-profit Business) (London, 2019)
• Flourish Award for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Poverty Reduction
  (US, 2019)
• Oslo Business for Peace Honoree (the “Nobel Prize for Business”) (2013)
• World CSR Congress 50 Top Social Innovators (Mumbai, 2015)
• UN Women’s Community Engagement Award (NY, 2014)

We Aim to Educate.

We work tirelessly to educate consumers vote for their values with their dollars. We've also inspired other coffee companies to pursue Fair Trade certification.  You can participate in that process as a Wholesale Partner, an advocate, Intern or a Javatrekker.  

Join in and help us achieve our mission!