Photo courtesy of Margaret Nyamumbo/ Twitter.
Margaret Nyamumbo, the founder of Kahawa 1893 coffee, owns the first female and Black-owned coffee brand to be sold at Trader Joe’s grocery stores.
Nyamumbo said that she wanted to share authentic Kenyan coffee with the world. She also wanted to help Kenyan farmers earn more income so that they could “participate in trade and empower themselves financially.”
Kahawa 1893, named after the date coffee was first planted in Kenya, allots 25% of profits to give to women farmers in need of credit. The coffee brand also works directly with them to increase the farmers’ profits.
“Being the first Black woman-owned coffee brand to be sold in Trader Joe’s is not only an exciting time for me but also signifies a commitment in showcasing the amazing diversity in the marketplace by Black-owned brands,” said Nyamumbo. “I am thrilled to share the rich and aromatic flavors of Kahawa 1893, a true Kenyan coffee with consug the female African coffee farmers who are an integral part of this incredible journey.”
Consumers can even tip the farmers at the check-out, and the funds go directly to the farmer’s account.
“When a consumer buys coffee at Trader Joe’s, they can scan a QR code and send a tip to a farmer’s e-wallet who will receive that money directly. Kahawa 1893 matches all tips to double the impact,” said Nyamumbo.
In addition to being sold at Trader Joe’s, the coffee is also sold on Kahawa 1893’s website. The coffee is being sold at 200 stores in California at first, with a national debut to follow. The coffee is grown in Kenya and roasted fresh by the entrepreneur in San Francisco. Nyamumbo is a third-generation coffee farmer, Harvard graduate and former investment banker on Wall Street.
Kahawa 1893 is sold as eco-friendly single-serve coffee packs that steep in five minutes. The coffee is also sold in packages of whole bean coffee and ground coffee. The blends available are Kenyan, Ethiopian, Peaberry, 1893 Espresso, Serengeti, Safari and Decaf.
Congratulations to this amazing queen!