Brewing Upward Spirals: The Power of Women in Coffee
Every cup of coffee has a story. At Ampersand Coffee, that story is about more than just rich flavors and perfect roasts—it’s about empowering women, uplifting communities, and creating an upward spiral of change. We believe that coffee has the power to transform lives when sourced responsibly, ensuring that the women behind the beans have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
We are proud to partner with Café Femenino, a revolutionary cooperative that has been empowering women coffee farmers since 2003, and the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), which works to advance gender equity in the coffee industry worldwide. Through these partnerships, we don’t just source incredible coffee—we invest in women-led farms, provide financial independence, and help create thriving, self-sustaining communities.
The Power of an Upward Spiral
What is an upward spiral, anyway? It’s the powerful chain reaction that happens when investing in women sparks transformation—where better wages lead to stronger families, stronger families create thriving communities, and thriving communities drive even greater opportunities. At Ampersand Coffee, we believe that empowering women is the key to setting this cycle in motion. When women in coffee-growing communities gain control over their work—whether through ownership, education, or leadership roles—the impact extends far beyond the individual, creating ripples of progress that uplift entire regions.
Café Femenino’s impact is a perfect example. Sabina, one of the cooperative’s founding leaders, tells the story of Erlita, a coffee farmer in Peru who celebrated the birth of her granddaughter in a community transformed by women’s empowerment. Because of Café Femenino’s initiatives, Erlita’s granddaughter will grow up in a place where women are respected, with equal access to education and opportunity. This is the upward spiral in action—when women thrive, their children receive better education, healthcare improves, and local economies strengthen. Read more about Café Femenino’s impact here.
This momentum fuels even greater progress. As these communities grow, they attract more investment, leading to better wages, environmental sustainability, and improved farming practices. The result? Higher-quality coffee, thriving communities, and a world where women’s contributions are recognized and valued.
From Bean to Cup: The Women Who Make It Happen
The journey of your morning coffee begins with the hands of women farmers who are rewriting the rules of the industry. Women gain financial control over their coffee production, allowing them to invest in their families, businesses, and communities. Their impact goes far beyond coffee—many women use their earnings to build schools, fund clean water initiatives, and support local businesses, helping to create a better future for the next generation.
At Ampersand, we source directly from women-led farms, ensuring that our coffee is not only high-quality but also a force for economic empowerment. Beyond the farm, women continue to break barriers in the coffee industry—leading as master roasters, quality control experts, and entrepreneurs. Another partner we work with, IWCA, helps provide leadership training, mentorship, and business resources to women across the coffee supply chain, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
We are proud to roast and distribute coffee that reflects these women’s stories—coffee that is not just about taste, but about equity, sustainability, and progress. Every sip represents a network of resilient women who are shaping the future of coffee and the communities they support.
You—The Consumer Who Fuels the Movement
The final step in this journey is you. Every time you choose Ampersand Coffee, you’re fueling this upward spiral. You’re not just enjoying a cup of coffee—you’re investing in a future where women lead, communities grow, and sustainability thrives. The simple act of choosing ethically sourced coffee has a profound impact, ensuring that the women behind the beans have the resources, education, and financial security they need to create lasting change.
More Than a Cup—A Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
At Ampersand Coffee, our commitment to women goes beyond sourcing. By partnering with IWCA and Café Femenino, and donating 0.5% of our global revenue to women’s empowerment initiatives, we are helping to break cycles of poverty and create lasting change in coffee-growing regions. Supporting women in coffee isn’t just about making better coffee—it’s about building a better world.
Be Part of the Upward Spiral
Great coffee doesn’t just wake you up—it lifts others up too. Choosing ethically sourced, women-empowering brands like Ampersand is one of the simplest ways to support an upward spiral of positive change. The next time you take a sip, remember the incredible women behind every bean, and know that your choice is making an impact.
Together, we rise, uplift, and spiral upward—one cup at a time.