Coffee has always been about connection. It brings us together around the table, sparks conversations and bridges cultures. With Project Direct, Farmer Brothers works to make those connections go even deeper by investing directly in the communities where your coffee begins.
Started in 2010, Farmer Brothers’ Project Direct efforts are built on three promises – transparent pricing with full traceability, long-term relationships with coffee producers and community-led projects that make everyday life better.
“Recently, we’ve partnered with Enveritas for Responsible Sourcing Verification within our Project Direct platform, so our customers can trust these commitments are independently verified and responsibly managed,” said Farmer Brothers Green Coffee Procurement Manger Elizabeth Fisher.
Earlier this year, Fisher and Farmer Brothers’ Sourcing team traveled to Huila, Colombia, where they met with families who will soon be receiving clean drinking water through Project Direct.
“We shared coffee and listened to their stories,” said Fisher. “Many described the daily struggle of collecting water that isn’t always safe to drink. Knowing something as simple as a water filter could ease that burden was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.”
Through the program’s efforts in Huila, 40 families will have reliable access to clean, safe water in their homes by the end of this year.
Farmer Brothers’ Project Direct impact doesn’t stop there though. In Ethiopia, the company has partnered with a nonprofit to fully fund the installation of another drinking water well, which will serve more than 300 families. For communities where access to clean water has always been uncertain, this project will mean fewer illnesses, more time for children in school and greater stability for families who rely on coffee farming for their livelihoods.
“Project Direct isn’t about one-off donations or quick fixes,” said Fisher. “It’s about building trust, listening to the needs of our partners and co-creating solutions that last. We’re proving coffee can be more than a daily ritual. It can be a promise to support the hands that grow it, strengthen the communities behind it and make a difference that extends far beyond the cup. Every bag of our coffee that our customers enjoy helps make these projects possible.”