“My experience has been life changing, exciting. I have been challenged to think deeper and really think much more critically about the world’s to do list and on how to create lasting sustainable impact for the environment we live in.”
–Muna Mohammed, Founder of Eight50 Coffee
Impact Over 5-Year Term
Social/Environmental Impact
- Repurposing the Cascara Hashara waste
- Lowering the environmental impact of coffee production
- Woman led company
Eight50 Coffee’s founder Muna Mohammed comes from a long line of coffee farmers and roasters. As a child, his father would recount stories from his childhood in Ethiopia which resulted in a deep fascination with coffee. On a visit to the family coffee farm in East Hararghe, Ethiopia, home to the region the coffee industry classifies as (Harar Coffee) Muna came to understand the complexities of the coffee industry from the level of the producer as well as the impact the coffee supply chain has had on their livelihoods. This was a formative experience that planted the seed for Eight50 Coffee.
Eight50 Coffee’s circular business practices center on sustainable packaging, repurposing Hashara waste and lowering the overall environmental impact of coffee production. Through the Activate by Harvest Impact program, she used the financial assistance to increase and support her production for launching into new large retail channels that were offered to her. Additionally, she used the funds to purchase new bags at scale, which were offered at a much lower price point. With this loan, she achieved higher sales volume, increased brand awareness, and broader reach.