This Minnesota B Corps spotlight is on Peace Coffee. Peace Coffee has been roasting fair trade, organic coffee in the heart of Minneapolis since 1996.

Why did Peace Coffee Become a B Corporation?
As a fair trade, organic coffee company from our inception in 1996, trusted authentic measures of our commitment to doing right in our business has always been paramount. In our industry, these types of coffee-specific certifications are numerous and complex, so when we learned about B Corp certification, we immediately began planning for our application. To have something that not only certifies the product you’re selling and the practices involved but also every aspect of your business from concept to community is so valuable. We jumped at the chance to be measured for our entire operation versus people just knowing we have good coffee!

How is your company using business as a force for good?
From day one, we’ve been committed to honoring the earth through organic coffee production, honoring coffee producers through fair trade, and honoring our staff and community through creating good jobs and contributing to our neighbors near and far to make our little coffee world have a big impact! To work for a company that does what it says it does and is earnest in its pursuit of doing more and getting better as we go is a true privilege.

Who are some of your role models in the business community? Who or what company can we all learn from?
Of course, we’ve always admired some of the more recognizable faces in our community like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Dr. Bronner’s, but closer to home, we love the front-and-center messaging of Sunrise Banks, the progressive and vocal leadership of The Coven (Alex Steinman and Bethany Iverson and their whole team!), the home-grown and good-natured folks at Seven Sundays just ooze kindness and value for people and planet, and we really look up to Rita Katona at So Good So You!!

Ryan Brown, Community Manager at Peace Coffee
I create engaging content relevant to the Peace Coffee mission in the digital realm. I represent Peace Coffee at events and really miss being in large groups, telling our story and sharing cups of great coffee!