Sustainability
At Fulcrum, our mission is to unite the coffee community through a holistic approach to sustainability - collaborating with our growers, partners, and consumers to sustain every part of our ecosystem — from farm to cup. Through grower empowerment, community investment, and business operations, we’re continuously working to create a more sustainable world — where coffee fuels passions, strengthens connections, and enhances everyday lives.
Grower Empowerment
Investing in the future of coffee at Fulcrum, we empower growers by combining long-term financial security with ecological innovation through two primary commitments:
- Financial Equity: We secure our farmers' futures through multi-year contracts where they retain more than 80% of the final purchase price.
- Climate Resilience: This financial stability enables a transition to more resilient farming practices; today, over 80% of our coffee is comprised of organic, hybrid, and low-carbon crops designed to withstand a changing climate.
Business Operations
We are committed to a sustainable supply chain built on total transparency and environmental accountability. We achieve this through:
- 100% Traceability: We maintain a "we know them, they know us" relationship with every farmer, ensuring a deep understanding of our coffee’s origins.
- Carbon Neutrality: We actively reduce our impact by utilizing 75% renewable energy across roasting, delivery, and administration while testing carbon offsets to mitigate our remaining footprint.
Our Partners
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World Coffee Research
Visit WCRWe’re proud to support and work with World Coffee Research and their work developing hybrid coffee varieties that sustain production, protect our environment, and support farmer success for generations to come.
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Instituto del Café de Costa Rica
Visit iCafeWe work with ICAFE to stay connected to the research, quality standards, and sustainability practices shaping Costa Rican coffee. Their work helps us better understand origin and support long-term producer relationships.
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Atlas Coffee Importers
Visit Atlas Coffee ImportersFor more than 20 years, we’ve partnered with Atlas to source and import coffee while building meaningful relationships with producers around the world. Those relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and Atlas has been instrumental in making that possible.
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La Marzocco
Visit La MarzoccoWe partner with La Marzocco to provide and service the exceptional equipment they build for our customers. Our relationship is grounded in shared values, a commitment to quality, and a mutual investment in supporting our coffee community.
Community Investment
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the farm and into the hearts of the communities we serve.
- Social Advocacy: We provide dedicated, year-round support to POC and LGBTQIA+ communities through active programming and the intentional use of our retail spaces.
- Accessible Sustainability: We ensure the "right choice" is affordable by keeping the cost of our environmentally friendly solutions within 5% of standard pricing.
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Sustainability You Can Taste
From ethical sourcing to inclusive service, our values are served daily at our 3 flagship Seattle-based cafes. Stop by, grab a bag of beans, and say hello.