Coffee is so much more than a magnificent beverage—it’s a labor of love. From the farmers that grow the beans to the roasters that craft the deliciousness, the entire process is one to be cherished (and the results, enjoyed!).

I recently discovered extraordinary coffee from a roaster with a purpose: Working Class Coffee. Based out of Philadelphia, this roaster is focused on ethical coffee, from the crop to the cup. Even more, their story and ethos are something that all readers can get behind. Drinking Working Class coffee not only supports farmers, but also social improvement and help where people need it most.

The coffee is delicious, the company is outstanding. Highly, highly recommended!

We were lucky enough to speak with the founder of Working Class Coffee, Derick Valencik, and ask him about his company, beans, roasting, giving back, and more. Here’s what he had to say…

Please tell us about Working Class Coffee!
Working Class Coffee was founded in 2020 with the goal of making great coffee available to everyone while doing something about Philly's poverty crises at the same time! We roast specialty grade coffee in North Philly, focused on supplying to our amazing wholesale partners and directly to consumers through our website www.workingclass.coffee. 
 
How did you come to start Working Class Coffee?
I have always been entrepreneurially minded, working for many years in non-profits. I have also had a growing obsession with coffee ever since my first taste of 3rd wave coffee from a friend who started roasting in the early 2000's. When it was time for a career change, forming Working Class Coffee was really the only option for me. 

It's all about the beans! Where do you source your beans, and how do you roast them?
GREAT questions! I value knowing that farmers are treated well, so I source with 2 brokers that I trust; both of them give me details on where the beans come from down to the local farmer and/or co-op. Knowing that farmers are paid for their hard labor makes my job that much more fun! 
 
Regarding the roast process: We roast on a Mill City drum roaster. Lately, our new roastmaster Aedan has been working the magic! I personally believe that every bean has 1 or 2 sweet spots, usually found early in the roast process (lighter roasted coffees) and again later in the process (medium and darker roasts). After we extensively sample some beans from a shipment, we determine where they want to be roasted to, and then Aedan gets to work bringing the best out of them. 
 
Your giveback program is incredible. Please share more!
I'd love to! I really believe that social enterprise capitalism is one of the best tools that we can use to help solve big problems. 
 
With Philadelphia, I think that all of the city's issues, whether it's gun violence, carjackings or street cleanliness, really whatever you can google about the "dark side" of Philly, they all have their roots in the fact that Philadelphia has the highest poverty rate of any of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. Nearly one quarter of Philadelphia's population lives near or below the poverty line. 
 
There are a number of great charities that are doing great work in trying to change this and we want to partner with them however we can. Currently it looks like making financial donations when we are able as well as volunteering and donating coffee whenever they ask for some. As we mature and establish ourselves as a company, we will eventually transition into what is called a B-corporation and will donate no less than 10% of our profit to our charitable partners. If you'd like to donate directly, check out:
SafeHub Philly (https://usa.safe-hub.org/) 
The Philadelphia Diaper Bank (https://philadelphiadiaperbank.org/) 
North Light Community Center (https://www.northlightcommunitycenter.org/) 

How can readers find you?
You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @ Working_Class_Philly and our website www.workingclass.coffee
 
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to do this email interview with you. I sincerely hope that you and your readers have a wonderful start to your new year and that all of your caffeinated dreams come true!