Hurricane Katrina Response

Annick Marketing and MidwestCoffeeShop.com wish to express our sorrow over the destruction and loss of life caused by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. We applaud the agencies involved in the relief and we encourage you to please help their effort by making a donation. Here are a few links:

We’ve heard news about a loss of coffee and roasting production in New Orleans. While that may affect some “grocery store” coffees, as I was told by the roaster consultant today, it will not directly affect us; at least not yet.

MidwestCoffeeShop.com will NOT be increasing coffee prices yet and we don’t see that likely in the near future. Interestingly, our roastery is adding a second shift this fall, as well as picking up some volume from a roaster who was “hurt” by Katrina. Meantime, our roastmaster’s direct purchasing relationship with plantations has – in his words – “insulated” us a bit and should prove stable for supply and prices this fall.

Unfortunately, with rising gas prices, we are forced to add a 50¢ fuel surcharge to shipping. Under the circumstances, with no change in product pricing (unless something even much more dramatic then we’ve experienced, occurs) planned or anticipated, a 50¢ fuel surcharge is a manageable expectation. You can view the new shipping rates table here.

We regret these unfortunate circumstances and keep the residents and relief workers in the Gulf Coast in our prayers.