OUR MISSION
On the Ground is building sustainability in specialty coffee by improving farmers’ standard of living through community development initiatives.
Our changing climate and burgeoning global population are threatening the future of coffee. However, we understand that industry sustainability won’t come from self-serving attempts to protect a valuable crop. It will only come from a collaborative, industry-wide effort to support and develop coffee-growing communities. Our duty is to encourage others to look past their cup and to see those farming families who are still struggling.
We view our coffee-producing colleagues as equals, as friends. We believe that families who farm coffee deserve the same access to basic human rights as the people who trade, roast and consume their coffee. Our dream is to see inequity ended in the specialty coffee industry and to see our friends thrive.
Freed from the burdens of tainted water, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy and economic and political instability, farming communities are capable of producing higher-quality coffee, which supports furthers development and enriches their entire supply chain.
Sustainability starts where inequity ends.
Our duty is to encourage others to look past their cup and to see those farming families who are still struggling.
Give Today
Farming families in developing regions around the world, especially coffee farming families, face numerous barriers to living happy, healthy, productive lives. However, by supporting sustainable development initiatives in struggling regions, you can help change that. You can help create clean water initiatives, expand access to education, fund microloans for women, sustain gender equality training, and more.
HOST A
COFFEE EVENT
Numerous dedicated, motivated, passionate cafes and roasters have already stepped up to host their own latte art competitions, barista jams and other events to raise funds and awareness for OTG’s coffee-producing community initiatives. These businesses have all made social justice part of their brand and have invested time and resources in proving to their own community that they stand behind their words.
JOIN AN OTG DELEGATION
We’re always looking for people to become Delegates for future On the Ground Delegations. People willing to help us strengthen ties between the coffee farming communities and developing regions where we have already planted roots and the international specialty coffee industry. We’re searching for like-minded, adventurous individuals with a desire to travel and a willingness to meet new people, all with the same goal: connect, share, and grow! If that sounds like something you’re interested in, or if you’d like to learn more about this new program, please reach out to us at Delegations@onthegroundglobal.org
DONATE A PORTION
OF YOUR SALES
Several of our roasters partners have already dedicated a portion of sales from specific products sales to help support OTG’s specialty coffee community initiatives. These businesses have all made social justice part of their brand and have invested time and resources in proving to their community they stand behind their words.
And it’s not just good intentions that are leading our partners to dedicate a portion of their sales; it’s also good business. According to a recent Cone Communications Social Impact Study:
54% of Americans bought a product associated with a cause over the last 12 months, increasing 170% since 1993
89% of Americans are likely to switch brands to one associated with a cause, given comparable price and quality, jumping nearly 35% since 1993
91% wants even more of the products and services they use to support causes
If you’re interested in dedicating a portion of your sales to support OTG initiatives, please reach out to us at info@onthegroundglobal.org. We’ve got resources and information to help you get started!
