Help grow communities in Ethiopia by buying your morning latte from Vital Ingredient.
(PRWEB UK) 22 July 2013 -- For the Oromia people of Ethiopia, coffee means ‘life’ and as far back as ancient times, coffee has been an integral part of their culture from food and drink, to trade, spiritual nourishment and peace-keeping and reconciliation. Thanks to the partnership between Oromo Coffee, Vital Ingredient and Leathams Ltd, consumers can now enjoy this smooth, organic, fair traded coffee, as it is now available on the High Street in London.
The founders of the Oromo Coffee Company came to the UK from the Oromia Region of Ethiopia as political refugees some years ago, setting up their company as a community-owned social enterprise that offers high quality coffee which is sourced directly from the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU) in Ethiopia. Their approach is driven by their own cultural roots, and the challenges they have encountered as political refugees have enabled them to provide a sustainable solution to poverty in developing countries, whilst addressing the need to work and earn income for members of their community here in the UK.
Speaking about this unique concept in greater detail and touching on the importance of a clear supply-chain, Abiyot Shiferaw's Director at the Oromo coffee company said:
“The Oromo coffee company brings a great new concept to the coffee world and we are extremely proud of it. We believe in treating everyone fairly - from the Ethiopian farmers who grow our coffee, to the staff of Oromo and our partners to the shops and cafes that stock our products. By doing this, and keeping our supply-chains as short and transparent as possible, we aim to generate a successful business that can create employment and training opportunities for people in the UK, whilst also supporting small farmers in Africa. As a not for profit business, any surplus profit we generate is ploughed back into the business to create employment and training opportunities for the local community, or it is used to promote Oromia cultural activity, particularly supporting Oromia children settled in the UK to learn about and celebrate their cultural identity.”
Carefully choosing some of the finest single origin coffees from the Oromia Region, Vital customers can expect exceptional quality products, and highlighting the importance of sharing the coffee with the wider market and the role in which Leathams Ltd and Vital have played to help support the growth of their communities he said:
“Coffee is at the heart of our community in Ethiopia and it shapes how our community functions, linking our new community here with our community at home in Ethiopia. Thanks to our partnership between Leathams and Vital, our hearts and values can now be shared with our new, wider community in the UK. Buying OCC coffee delivers a triple whammy! You’re buying some of the best coffee you will ever drink; secondly, you’re supporting small farmers in Ethiopia and you’re enabling us to continue providing employment and training opportunities, as well as self-esteem and cultural identity, to Oromia people in the UK. “
Abiyot Shiferaw, Oromo Coffee, http://www.oromocoffee.org/, 0161 3397865, [email protected]
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