by Barth Anderson, Research and Development Coordinator at the Wedge Community Co-op

Keith Tomlinson, Peace Coffee's head roaster, says that his new special blend, available at the Wedge this week, is truly something special. "The Sow the Seeds Blend has been my favorite lately," he says.

Which says a lot, since Peace Coffee roasts over 15 different blends.

Peace Coffee generously created this brand-new blend to benefit the Sow the Seeds Fund, an innovative non-profit whose mission is to conserve at-risk farmland from being developed, support sustainable farmers, and to sustain a local food system in the Upper Midwest.

The way it works is simple: Buy Sow the Seeds Blend, and two dollars of every pound purchased will go straight into the Sow the Seeds Fund.

But remember, this blend isn't just a good cause. It's a great coffee that will make dinner guests go "wow." Blending beans from three different parts of the world - Ethiopia, Colombia, and Sumatra - Tomlinson also decided that Sow the Seeds should be a "post blend." That is, the beans were blended after they were roasted (see Peace Coffee beans being roasted), allowing each of these coffees to give up their optimum flavor.

"In this instance," Tomlinson says, "the two flavors playing off each other the most are the dark, rich chocolates and cherry of the dark-roasted Colombian, with the strong citrus and slight floral tones of the lightly roasted Ethiopian. While the Sumatran coffee does contribute its usual caramel flavors, it primarily serves in creating a wider and more intense body in the coffee."

The result is a unique blend that benefits both the java junkie and a non-profit in its start-up phase.

Action with Buzz
Because Sow the Seeds Fund is just starting out (the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Wedge Community Co-op are still shepherding the new project), Peace Coffee's help is crucial at this point. Buying endangered parcels of farmland and giving grants to sustainable farmers are two of Sow the Feeds Fund's main goals - but achieving them will mean having a lot of money in the coffers.

Consequently, Sow the Seeds hopes that Peace Coffee's support will provide some buzz for the Fund. "Peace Coffee brings both a high quality product and its commitment to fair trade principles," says Dale Wiehoff, member of Sow the Seeds Fund's steering committee. "Each contribution to Sow the Seeds Fund is valuable, but particularly in the start-up phase, where many people are still learning about the Fund and its potential. We're very excited about this blend and the opportunity it brings."

Plus, Peace Coffee's involvement raises the profile of issues that face coffee growers globally and farmers here at home - vanishing farmland and sane use of the land that we have.

"With Sow the Seeds Blend available at stores, and with our presence on the web now" now," says steering committee member Joe Riemann, "we'll be able to increase education and awareness about food and agricultural issues to a broader consumer base."

Ways of Giving
Folks interested in donating directly to Sow the Seeds Fund can do so through their website. But those wanting a more tangible pay-off for their dollars can think of Sow the Seeds Blend as "high-values" coffee - coffee high in flavor, mission and concept - so you'll get what you pay for.

Better still is the completely altruistic approach. Give a pound of Sow the Seeds Blend as a gift, and you'll help foster a more sustainable food system in Minnesota. Pick up a self-adhesive "gift tag" at our Customer Service Desk, and give a gift in style.

Though it's a special blend, with high concepts and great missions surrounding it, Sow the Seeds is tasty enough to be your daily, "work horse" coffee, too. "I had it for breakfast this morning," explains Tomlinson. With every bean he roasts, and every cup you drink, seeds for the future are being planted.

(Sow the Seeds Blend is available at the Wedge in the bulk coffee section across from the Deli.)

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