March is Women's History Month, and this year's theme: "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future" couldn't be more fitting for our community. From vineyards to farms to food justice work, women are at the forefront of creating a more sustainable agricultural landscape. Today, we're thrilled to feature Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell and their inspiring work with Equator Coffees.
Equator Coffees is a Bay Area-founded, Women-owned, B Corp Certified specialty coffee roaster with twelve neighborhood cafes, serving exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee in our own spaces and beyond.
What is one sustainable practice you’ve implemented in your business that you’re most proud of?
Becoming an early adopter of Fair Trade in 1999 is something we’re especially proud of. We made a commitment to pay premiums that support better wages, safer working conditions, and community development at origin. That early commitment helped shape the long-term producer partnerships and accountability standards that continue to guide us today.
How does your product reflect your values around sustainability and environmental stewardship?
As the first California coffee roaster to become a certified B Corporation, we’re committed to pushing the limits of transparency, accountability, and social and environmental impact. In 2022, we partnered with Cooperativa Sacaclí to bring to market the first annual harvest of Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) coffee ever commercially available, furthering our dedication to mitigating climate change and protecting the future of coffee cultivation.
What keeps you motivated on the hard days?
The people. The farmers we partner with, the communities we serve, and our team who shows up every day with intention and heart. Coffee connects us to something much bigger than ourselves – moments of gathering and conversations that matter. Remembering that our work supports livelihoods, builds community, and creates meaningful rituals for people keeps us grounded and moving forward.