1000faces roasts fair, direct trade coffee

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Posted: 8/19/08

Conscious consumerism can reduce the negative effects of chemicals and energy consumption on our planet, but it also can aid the community by choosing products that benefit those who provide it on a local level.

Ben Myers, master roaster at 1000faces coffee, roasts the raw beans and carefully monitors the process by which they are purchased. He not only ensures the most direct transaction between farmer and buyer but makes sure that every farmer involved is getting paid fairly.

The business started with a 17-year commitment to purchase food directly and fairly from farmers in Ecuador. Two-and-a-half years later, 1000faces is one of the best-recognized local brands in Athens. 1000faces derives its name from Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces."

1000faces Varietals

1000faces offers a number of different blends specializing in rare coffee beans from Ecuador, Nicaragua and Zimbabwe.

Aldo's Blend
Bell's Blend
Espresso Savio
Decaffinated Monk
Selva Negra
Leopard Forest
Cafe Choco Andes
NEW! Red Ribbon Roast

"The name stands as a symbol of everyone being divine and having unique qualities that run through them," Myers said. He also said that the name presented an image of just how many people are involved in the process of producing coffee, granting each of them equal importance for their individual contribution.

In fact, Myers has used several literary allusions to name his different blends including "Bell's Blend," named after feminist writer Bell Hooks and "Aldo's Blend," making reference to ecologist Aldo Leopold, author of "The Land Ethic."

Myers currently is moving his roasting house to a more established location on Barber Street, but varieties of 1000faces blends can be found at several different locations around Athens including the Daily Groceries Co-op, Trax Café, and Farm 255. Or, you can place an order directly through
1000faces' Web site, http://www.1000facescoffee.com

- Chelsea Cook & Jeremey Pohl