Nashville, Tennessee’s Good Citizen Coffee Co. produces sustainability-conscious coffee. The company, which started roasting in 2018, was founded as a response to the blank space in Music City’s roasting industry. Good Citizen filled that space by providing high-quality java brewed to make a difference for future coffee-loving generations.
The business uses various green methods across all of its processes. Good Citizen sources its beans from sustainable farms and centers around biodiverse growers. It also works directly with the farmers to give back to their land by planting trees, fruits, and vegetables to help the local ecosystem — including insects and animals — thrive.
Good Citizen uses a natural processing method when creating its blends, using the sun’s natural light to dry the coffee cherries.
After the cherries are dry, employees remove the outer layers by hand rather than using water to wash away those layers.
This airing-out process not only reduces the chance for mold or odd flavors but also requires less labor and less water. Because it requires less water and energy, it increases sustainability. It also means more complex flavors and allows farmers in more arid regions to produce quality coffee.
Photo Courtesy Good Citizen Coffee Co.
Good Citizen prioritizes regenerative agriculture — a sustainable approach to farming that centers on revitalizing the soil — using practices like covering, cropping, and composting. According to Stewart, it is shown to boost soil’s organic matter by as much as 20%. Farmers who adopt the methods can sequester up to two tons of carbon dioxide for every acre every year.
“By prioritizing soil health, we pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Sean Stewart, Good Citizen co-founder, said in a newsletter post.
Photo Courtesy Good Citizen Coffee Co.
Farmers’ futures are key for Good Citizen. Because of this, the company launched its Flora & Fauna Initiative, which pays back an extra 5% to select farmers so they can invest money right back in their land.
Additionally, Good Citizen’s sister brand, Common Voice Coffee, makes coffee farm-forward by selling more of its farming partners’ crops year after year at affordable prices.
“As coffee lovers, we have a responsibility to support a sustainable future for the industry,” Stewart said in a newsletter post. “By making conscious choices and demanding accountability from coffee producers and retailers, we can drive positive change and protect our environment.”
“Even a small change in our coffee habits can have a significant impact on the planet,” he continued.
Photo Courtesy Good Citizen Coffee Co.
In May, Nashville coffee giant 8th and Roast purchased Good Citizen, expanding the company’s sustainable ways to more customers and potential farmers.
“Good Citizen’s mission, goals, and values as a local coffee company align with our own as we both pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality of product, ethically sourced, at a fair price,” Ed Reed, co-owner of 8th and Roast, said in a press release. “We believe our combined know-how will only enhance 8th and Roast’s ability to deliver better value to serve a broader set of wholesale customers whether you’re an office, restaurant, coffee shop, or enjoying our coffee in your home. Everyone deserves a better cup of coffee.”
