1a Coffee Roasters was created in 2018 by a couple who thought they could create something different using coffee as a force for good. 1a was the address of our building in Helsinki, Finland - where the idea was dreamt.

How did we end up in Wilmington? Believe it or not, we found Wilmington through the Wilmington Works Make it on Main Street business competition. Read more here.

Our Mission

To elevate the coffee experience while focusing on the local Wilmington community we serve, the producing countries’ smallholder farms and low-income workers, and the environment we enjoy.

We do this by focusing on sustainable development in three main areas throughout the coffee supply chain; social, economic, and environmental.

  • 1a Coffee is committed to doing our part to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable economic development in green coffee producing origins we source from and within communities we serve

  • 1a Coffee is committed to increasing economic benefit to producing countries’ smallholder farms and low-income workers, and our local employees

  • 1a Coffee is committed to reducing waste, sourcing upcycled or recyclable products, and using sustainable energy sources

Co-OWNER & HEad Roaster

Chrystal

Chrystal Headshot.jpg

What WE WANT TO ACHIEVE BY 2023

  • Become a Certified B Corporation

  • Redesign the coffee production process to avoid waste generation inside and outside the roastery

  • Utilize sustainable energy sources (solar, wind, and bio)

  • Pay 35% over fair-trade price, with a goal of setting multi-year fixed price contracts

  • Recyclable products only (little to no plastic)

  • Annual sustainability assessment and report

  • 90% Direct Trade Coffee

  • 70% Organic Coffee

  • Advance gender and ethnic equality

  • Carbon neutral

  • 100% Energy independent

 

All photography provided by Holt Connections Photography