Saving bird by sipping coffee? Counter Culture Coffee seeks the perfect balance
Published May 2024
Picture this: you’re sitting on your porch, sipping your morning coffee, listening to spring birds chirping in the trees around you. Did you know that those birds could’ve spent their winters in the very trees that grew your coffee beans?
Massachusetts Regional Manager, Jesse Dionne, took a moment to share how the connection between birds and coffee led to the 1995 conception of Counter Culture Coffee and why he supports local in Union Square. Counter Culture’s Training Center opened in the Square in 2016 and offers educational programming and training to local coffee establishments.
Tell us a little bit about Counter Culture!
We are a national coffee roaster focused on quality, sustainability and education. Our training center in Union Square is used to focus on training our local partners—businesses in the Greater Boston area. We also open our doors to the public every Friday at 10am for our Tasting at Ten program where you can try some of our coffee and learn about our practices.
What inspired Counter Culture’s start?
The company was started as a way to offer more environmentally-friendly coffee. We originally focused on conserving bird ecosystems while expanding coffee growing practices. Over time we have grown that idea to a wider-arching view on sustainability. For us, it isn't just the birds or even the environment. It is about putting money and education back into the whole supply chain to improve the economic sustainability of all stakeholders, while also reinvesting money into ensuring environmental sustainability along the way.
What aspect of your business makes you most proud to be a business leader in our community?
Our purchasing practices that continue to keep all stakeholders front of mind and our commitment to transparency.
How do you #LoveUnionSquare?
The food! We eat and love all of it. So many incredible choices and opportunities to support our neighbors and other business leaders.
Is there anything else you think a Square customer would like to know?
While it may look like it from the outside, we are not a retail facility or coffee shop. We are only open to the public for our Tasting at Ten on Fridays. That said, if you see me in the shop, give us a knock and say hello!
Counter Culture Coffee’s training center is located at 374 Somerville Ave and opens Fridays 10-11am for a weekly Tasting at Ten free coffee tasting.
Scroll Counter Culture’s Instagram anytime while sipping coffee at home.
