Craft Roast Soul

Equal Exchange is an example of a company going the extra mile to ensure farmers are fairly compensated for their product.  They promote the idea of the "citizen-consumer", which entails each of us being mindful about the impact of the products we buy and the companies we support.  From Equal Exchange Co-President: "We now know that we cannot possibly succeed in our goal to transform the food system without the active, deep and committed participation of  citizen-consumers  like you. An authentic Fair Trade system requires democratic organizing of producers in the South, worker democracy for businesses in the North, and active citizen involvement in the North." Be sure to check out their website for full details on their mission and how you can get involved.  This is a great mission statement for any coffee company or consumer to be aware of.  These are issues that pertain to the wider food and farming industry as well, not just the coffee industry.

One of my very favorite places to go for coffee in West Michigan is the 205 Coffee Bar in Holland.  A relative newcomer to the scene, the 205 has attracted quite a crowd and a reputation for quality. They feature original drink concoctions that you won't find at other shops, and feature homemade syrups and whipped cream to go with your latte.  They feature fresh roasted coffees from Michigan based roaster "Stovetop Coffee Roasters".  The house blend is my personal favorite.  It's a medium-dark roast with notes of hazelnut, cocoa, and vanilla.  This time of year they are offering a "Holiday Blend" as well, which will pair perfectly with all of your Christmas food traditions. They do fun things for the community as well.  Last year they opened for a few hours on Christmas Day and offered free coffee and baked goods.  The idea was to give people who didn't have anywhere else to go on Christmas a warm, inviting space to hang out in. Speaking o