Moruya cafe owner builds direct ties with coffee farmers across Central and
Sam Steiner's Alfresco Coffee works directly with growers in Colombia and the Philippines to improve their farms and incomes.
Sam Steiner didn't know much about coffee in 2011 when he took a sales job at a roastery wholesaler. An international expo in Italy in 2014 sparked his curiosity, and a trip to Panama cemented his mission to use coffee for real change.
Sam bought Alfresco in 2019, then the cafe and wholesale business in 2021. Now it runs two South Coast cafes, sourcing directly from growers Sam visits.
In Colombia, Sam worked with farmer Diofanor Ruiz to build drying shelters by raising funds and finding a business partner. The shelter let Ruiz process more beans naturally, cut water use, and boost income.
In the Philippines, Sam ran farming workshops and helped growers rebuild after a typhoon destroyed their crop. Alfresco employs 34 people locally and reinvests in farmer partnerships and staff.
- 2019
- Roastery purchased
- 2021
- Cafe and wholesale bought
- Moruya and Batemans Bay
- Locations
- 34 people
- Local employees
Why it mattersThe model shows how a small business can create genuine income improvements for farming families overseas while building a sustainable, ethical supply chain at home.
AustraliaAlfresco Coffee employs 34 South Coast workers and models how Australian cafes can support farmers and communities abroad through direct trade relationships.
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