Peruvian Coffee is Here to Stay

The North Star of Snowy Owl is our specialty coffee approach. So, when it comes to sourcing coffee, it’s no easy feat. Every partnership we have has been meticulously chosen for both its quality and impact. Since our conception, Snowy Owl has been determined to form a direct sourcing partnership with Peru. After nearly seven years in the making, this vision has taken shape through a meaningful partnership with Elmer Palacios of Palacios Coffee.

Sharing Our Heart With Cape Cod

Offering Peruvian coffee represents an immense reverence to Manuel Ainzuain’s heritage and culture. From the moment Shayna and Manuel dreamt of opening a coffee shop, sourcing coffee from Peru was top of mind. The opportunity to invest in a country that Manuel’s family has called home for many generations would be a meaningful way to connect with the Cape Cod community. However, finding the right partner would be an essential component of forming a sustainable and long lasting relationship.  

An Adventure to Arequipa

In 2018, Manuel and Shayna took a family trip to Peru, During an adventure to Arequipa, the Ferullo family was captivated by a cozy cafe and roastery in the heart of the city, Palacios Coffee. As it turns out, Palacios Coffee is the first specialty roaster in Southern Peru. There, they met Elmer. Minutes into conversation, it became clear that Elmer’s relationship with coffee was a medium for making the world a better place. In his own words, he shared, “First it’s God, then my family and then coffee.” Manual and Shayna found a kindred spirit in Elmer.  It was evident that Elmer’s practices and vision aligned powerfully with the ethos of Snowy Owl. With a deep connection made, it was time to get to work.

CONFRONTING THE CORRUPTIVE COFFEE SUPPLY CHAIN

When it comes to buying and selling coffee, there are multiple variables involved. Between different time zones and a number of middle men, it’s not uncommon for coffee to pass through as many as 50 hands before reaching its final destination. In a typical coffee supply chain, most farmers are put in vulnerable positions and forced to accept outrageously poor compensation. Knowing this, we take extreme care in forming logistical processes that protect our partners. 

FORGING A NEW WAY FORWARD

As we redefine our trading processes, we must take a holistic look at our entire business model. This includes considering the position of our coffee sourcing partners. We start by having a transparent conversation where we focus on price discovery and clarifying our investment capacities. As we share our economic realities and determine our level of commitment, we can move toward an economically feasible agreement. Recognizing the longevity of a relationship plays a powerful role in shaping our negotiation.. 

PRIORITIZING PERUVIAN COFFEE

During Snowy Owl’s conversation with Palacios Coffee, both parties agreed to pursue a relationship. For Snowy Owl, this meant we had to upscale our production operations to justify purchasing more green coffee from Peru. Four years ago it would’ve been completely unattainable to purchase a container from one single origin. Recognizing the impact a long term direct sourcing partnership has on a local community made our investment a no brainer. 

PURSUING PRODUCER EMPOWERMENT

The voice of a producer is often lost in the global supply chain. That’s why Snowy Owl is challenging the current coffee supply chain approach with innovative processes. In the wise words of Karl Winehold who wrote Cheap Coffee,  “Producers need to know how they and their product fit into the global industry to endeavor to improve their standing in it. They can benefit from knowing how people are using their product, how it is being marketed, and the market’s preference, values and priorities.” As we strive to empower our producers, we’re simultaneously ensuring the quality of our coffee is compatible with the flavor preferences of our market. 

MORE THAN COFFEE

Our partnership with Elmer is an enduring commitment that affects more than just the coffee industry. Having relied on learning from the land and through people he encountered over the years, Elmer is committed to advancing access to formal education. As Elmer expands his partnerships he is able to invest in his community of coffee growers. His long term dream includes opening up a school and a number of social impact projects are already underway. Café Generoso is one of the programs. Through Café Generoso, Palacios Coffee commits to reinvesting a portion of their profits in sustainable, coffee-farming technology. 

STEP FORWARD WITH SNOWY OWL

We’ve counted the costs and are determined to continue disrupting the supply chain model. While it’s easier to go with the current, our conviction will continue spearheading our direction. We’re unwavering in our commitment to choose goodness every chance we get. It’s unacceptable for consumers with the highest purchasing power to feed this cyclical model that is keeping the impoverished in poverty. When you support Snowy Owl, know that you’re supporting a global movement. 

ENJOY PERUVIAN COFFEE WITH US

We are proud to provide our community with Peruvian coffee sourced from Cajamarca and Puno. From the region of Cajamarca, we’re offering a San Ignacio Limited Edition Single Origin, a San Ignacio Cold Brew, and a Single Origin Espresso blender from Puno and Jaén.. We look forward to welcoming you to any of our three locations on Cape Cod and sharing our new coffee from Peru with you. If you can’t wait, we invite you to place an online order through our website.