Did you know that by drinking Ugandan coffee, you’re helping to plant trees in the Rwenzori Mountains? Whether it’s enjoyed as a single origin, Two Stories or Granary Blend, every bag makes a difference.
We’ve been sourcing our Ugandan coffee exclusively from Agri Evolve since 2018. From our very first meeting, their dedication to the communities they work with stood out to us, alongside the quality of the coffee itself.
Since July 2021, we’ve been supporting their ACE2030 project , a 10-year programme highlighting the vital link between agriculture, community and the environment.
We already support producer communities by paying a premium for the green coffee we source. These funds are reinvested locally, including the recent opening of a state-of-the-art processing facility in the Kasese District. However, we wanted to go a step further.
For every kilo of Ugandan coffee we buy, we pay an additional 60p directly to ACE2030. Of this, 40p funds the planting of a new tree in Agri Evolve’s nursery, while the remainder supports a range of impactful community projects.
The Latest Figures
At the time of writing in March 2023, we had purchased 7,630kg of green Ugandan coffee. This has resulted in £4,578 of contributions to ACE2030, made up of 7,630 trees planted and £1,526 directed towards community support.
Last year, we visited the tree nursery, where we met Milton, the person responsible for turning those contributions into reality.
These trees primarily provide shade for coffee plants, protecting them from harsh sunlight. Shade trees also improve soil health by preventing erosion, enriching soil with nutrients and contributing organic matter through natural composting. The result is healthier plants and, ultimately, better-tasting coffee.
The community projects supported through Agri Evolve are just as vital. The £1,526 raised so far has funded initiatives including:
- Fuel-efficient log burners
- Pit latrines for a local school
- A water borehole in a nearby town
- Craft training for young people who have left school early
- Mentoring youth teams to establish independent small businesses
- Relief efforts following local flooding
Looking Forward
All that remains is to say a huge thank you, from all of us at Rounton Coffee and the Agri Evolve team. You can continue to directly support ACE2030 simply by drinking delicious coffee — here’s to the next 7,630 trees.