Cafedirect

Cafedirect is one of the most structurally distinctive businesses in UK coffee. Founded in 1991 by Oxfam, Traidcraft, Equal Exchange, and Twin Trading to tackle the coffee price collapse, it operates as a social enterprise where the farmers who supply the business sit on the Board, hold shares, and share in profits.

The roastery is in Meltham, West Yorkshire. Cafedirect works directly with grower cooperatives in Peru, Mexico, and Uganda, including Frontera, La Prosperidad de Chirinos, Norandino, Union de Ejidos San Fernando, and Gumutindo.

Around 85% of its coffee is organic, all packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and the business runs on renewable energy with a science-based net zero target for 2040. It is certified B Corp, Soil Association organic, and a Social Enterprise UK member, and claims the highest B Corp score among coffee brands in UK supermarkets.