Partner Onboarding
Overview of how Tradecraft vets, reviews, onboards and considers new craft coffee roasters and specialty tea partners. After today, you will be able to better address questions and engage with our stakeholders from a more informed position.
Our Value-Add for the Partner
We leverage our sales team to drive growth for our partner
We handle equipment placement, installment, maintenance and service repairs
We provide marketing support for the partner and client – including roaster storytelling signage
We finance and loan specialty equipment for the craft market
We uphold our partner’s quality standards in products and equipment
We collaborate to facilitate an elevated experience for the client – including seasonal beverage programming
We provide expert training and education to support where the partner cannot
Craft Partner Standards
Quality
Coffee and teas are all specialty grade and vetted for both quality and approachability.
Responsible Sourcing
Supply chain transparency and traceability is available down to the farm-level.
Scalability
Ability to deliver a consistent, high-quality product with room for sales growth.
Company Culture
Social impact, community and environmental sustainability initiatives are supported.
Quality
FINDING THE BEST CRAFT HAS TO OFFER.
Coffee samples are provided to the Tradecraft team to conduct a QC cupping assessment using SCA standards.
- Coffee must be of specialty grade (score above an 80 when graded with SCA standards, with no visible defects). In most cases, our partners are scoring above 85.
- Coffee should be roasted to enhance the flavor. Light and medium roasts are encouraged. Dark roasts must still showcase the character of the coffee itself. We prioritize approachable, offerings with broad appeal.
- Flavored coffees are highly discouraged and rarely allowed.
- Coffee roasts should be free of defects (tipping, scorching, quakers, baking, etc.) and consistent from batch to batch.
- Roasters are encouraged to provide a mix of blends and single-origin coffees.
Quality
FINDING THE BEST CRAFT HAS TO OFFER.
Tea samples are provided to conduct a QC organoleptic cupping assessment.
- Tea must be actual specialty grade, based on organoleptic assessment – flavor, aroma, body, color, freshness and complexity. Certified Organic and/or verifiably natural is essential.
- Assortment should include loose-leaf and full-leaf sachet teabags; sachet teabags are required to have an appropriate dosage for the recommended serving size.
- Sachets must be made of a recognizably safe material such as plant-based material of inert, non-petroleum plastic (not paper, nylon and no staples or glue).
- Assortment should include single-origin and innovative blends that exhibit the inherent character of the ingredients; flavored teas are acceptable if organic or verifiably natural.
- Fair Trade or Direct Trade is strongly preferred.
Responsible Sourcing
FROM THE FARM TO YOUR MUG.
- Partner provides documentation or insight into sourcing practices (Fair Trade, Direct Trade, Co-Op, Importer, etc.).
- Partner provides any applicable coffee certifications (Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Smithsonian Bird Friendly).
- Partner confirms they are paying above commodity price.
- Partner provides traceability down to the farm level, and confirms this information is available for every coffee purchased.
Scalability
BRINGING IT FROM THEIR TABLE TO YOURS.
Partner completes a survey providing the following information:
- Number of current employees
- Number of retail cafes
- Current roasting capacity
- Percentage to capacity for current operations
- Upcoming plans/timeline for expansion (if applicable)
- Current distribution model
Company Culture
COMPANY CULTURE. GOOD COMPANIES DOING GOOD BUSINESS.
- Partner provides a copy of company certifications (MBE, WBENC, BCorp, VBE, LGBTE, etc.)
- Partner provides insight into support of any charities/ organizations via product donation, volunteering, monetary donation, fundraising, etc. Social and environmental responsibility are table stakes.
- Partner shares any environmental sustainability initiatives at origin (including water reclamation, composting and circularity of diversion of any other waste products), as well as in retail and production operations.
- Partner provides specs on coffee packing, including information on recycling, compostability, biodegradability and container reuse program.
- Partner should have a positive and progressive company culture. Regardless of cup quality or brand strength, companies with a history of discrimination, harassment or other misconduct will not be considered.
