At Coffee Supreme, sourcing coffee has never just been about beans. From the beginning, our philosophy has been simple: boots on the ground. Being there in person, meeting producers face-to-face, and building relationships based on trust has shaped how we buy coffee and how we do business.
What started with direct ties to individual farmers has grown into a network of producers across multiple origins. The essence hasn’t changed: quality, sustainability, and people at the centre.
These partnerships are the backbone of our supply chain. They provide stability, consistency, and shared growth. Take FAF Coffees in Brazil, this year we’re celebrating 14 years of working together. What began with a single visit to the Croce/Barreto family has grown into a relationship built on respect and long-term commitment.
As a B Corp business, our values come to life through these partnerships. We pay premiums that support livable incomes, work with farms committed to sustainable practices, and keep our supply chains transparent and traceable. Regular visits mean we can cup coffees, walk farms, and understand challenges firsthand. That way, we can plan for the future together, not from a distance.
Strong relationships help us navigate challenges like climate change, price volatility, and yield variation. When producers face tough seasons, we stand by them: committing to purchases, paying more when needed, or backing climate-resilient practices. Trust makes this possible. It also gives us the confidence to share the stories behind every coffee we roast.
Looking ahead, we see our producer relationships becoming even stronger, more collaborative, and more resilient to global challenges. We’re exploring multi-year purchasing commitments, pre-harvest financing, and joint projects in regenerative farming and renewable energy, while also using technology to improve traceability and measure impact.
What stands out most, though, are the small moments on each origin trip, seeing progress from year to year, sharing challenges and successes, and knowing that we’re in it together. That’s what being B Corp means for us: using our business as a force for good, and building relationships in coffee that last.
Fraser Lovell, Head of Sustainability & NZ Procurement
