Savoring a warm cup of coffee doesn’t typically prompt us to contemplate the origins of the delightful beans and the individuals responsible for their harvest. Disappointingly, coffee is entangled with a lengthy history of colonialism and slavery. The coffee production industry continues to be a hub of exploitation and environmental harm in the present time. From child labor to slavery, numerous coffee roasters have developed methods to conceal the harsh realities associated with cheaper beans, thereby fueling the desire for affordable coffee.
Mountain Gateway, a Dripping Springs nonprofit, frequents Nicaragua on mission trips with the mission “Give everyone the opportunity to know Jesus.” When Mountain Gateway founders, Britt and Audrey Hancock saw the corruption of the coffee industry firsthand, they knew they needed to take a stand against it. This led the couple to purchase a failing farm, with hopes of turning it around and creating a better life for farmers and their families through fair pay and no child labor.
In 2017, Finca Esperanza de Gloria (Hope of Glory Farm), was established. Offering support beyond what most coffee companies can provide, meaningful relationships began to form. All farm employees have access to daycare services, clean water, and daily meals, and they are paid a generous wage that exceeds the national minimum by 48%. With the farmer’s lives being transformed by fair pay, gratitude, and Jesus, the farm began to thrive.
Offering beans from Finca Esperanza de Gloria and a passion for serving people, EDG Coffee began serving the Dripping community in 2019, brightening mornings from a small trailer off 290. In 2022, a rebranding took place to what we know today as Rootline Coffee Co. Rootline recently celebrated the grand opening of its stunningly decorated brick-and-mortar in the same location as the original trailer.
“We are thankful to our customers who supported us in every stage of development and immensely appreciative of the diligent job Mountain Gateway is doing. This partnership has allowed us to not only impact the employees in the United States but also share the gospel and impact employees in other countries,” says Jasmine Hancock, operations manager.
Since expanding from a small roastery and trailer to a multi-location roastery with an official brick-and-mortar, Rootline continues its growth. Their latest projects include increasing roast selections, adding new coffee blends, selling merchandise, and currently working on K-Cups. Sip a brew in person at 2001 US-290, Suite 116, Dripping Springs.
RootlineCoffeeCo.com | @rootlinecoffee | MountainGateway.org