Higher Grounds Coffee

In The News

Stories, interviews, and recognition featuring Higher Grounds and the people and communities behind our coffee.

May 13, 2024

Priced Out of Housing, Communities Take Development Into Their Own Hands

In May 2024, The New York Times featured Higher Grounds Trading Co. owner Chris Treter in a story about how communities are responding to rising housing costs and...

January 31, 2022

How does improving gender equity benefit coffee production?

In January 2022, Perfect Daily Grind examined how improving gender equity can strengthen coffee production, featuring Higher Grounds Director of Coffee Jennifer Yeatts, Higher Grounds Director Chris Treter,...

June 08, 2016

Fighting For Coffee In The Congo At Saveur du Kivu

In June 2016, Sprudge reported from the second annual Saveur du Kivu in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, an event founded by Higher Grounds owner Chris Treter to...

May 28, 2021

People in DRC Coffee Lands Need Help as Hundreds of Thousands Flee Volcano

In May 2021, Daily Coffee News reported on the humanitarian crisis following the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hundreds of thousands...

March 08, 2021

A Profile On Higher Grounds

In March 2021, the Spartan Global Development Fund featured Higher Grounds Coffee and founder Chris Treter in a story examining the company’s role in international development. The article...

October 20, 2016

Michigan man gets attention for exporting 'dangerous' coffee

Chris Treter is working with farmers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to grow specialty coffee sold by his Traverse City company, Higher Grounds Coffee. (Courtesy of...

November 25, 2016

Lesser-Known Coffee Regions: The Democratic Republic of the Congo

In November 2016, Barista Magazine featured Higher Grounds founder Chris Treter and the work of its sister nonprofit, On the Ground, in an exploration of coffee production in...

June 05, 2015

Hidden Treasures for Congo Coffee Tasters

In June 2015, Voice of America reported on the revival of specialty coffee in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the country’s exceptional growing potential and the challenges...

March 06, 2018

Coffee, Conflict, and the Congo: Healing Hearts and Minds begins with Life and Limbs

In March 2018, the U.S. Department of State highlighted the Lake Kivu Coffee Alliance, a partnership connecting specialty coffee development with assistance for survivors of landmines and unexploded...

April 19, 2021

Stateside: Agri-biz update; “Shine On” coffee; illegal dumping; Freep on B.1.1.7

In April 2021, Michigan Public’s Stateside featured Michigan singer-songwriter May Erlewine and Higher Grounds founder Chris Treter in a conversation about their collaboration on “Shine On” coffee. The...

July 08, 2020

SCA Sustainability Award Winners

In July 2020, Fresh Cup reported on the Specialty Coffee Association’s Sustainability Award winners, including Cooperative Coffees, which received the Business Model award. The recognition celebrated the importing...

August 23, 2017

Congo’s Specialty Brews Look to Be the ‘Future of Coffee’

In August 2017, The New York Times explored the resurgence of specialty coffee in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting how coffee producers and their international partners were...

May 13, 2024

The New York Times: Priced Out of Housing, Communities Take Development Into Their Own Hands

In May 2024, The New York Times featured Higher Grounds Trading Co. owner Chris Treter in a story about communities taking housing development into their own hands. The...

July 30, 2018

The Coffee Lover’s Guide To Traverse City, Michigan

In July 2018, Sprudge featured Higher Grounds Coffee in its guide to Traverse City’s growing specialty coffee scene. The article highlighted our café and roastery at The Village...

November 05, 2020

Exploring The Democratic Republic Of Congo As A Coffee Origin

In November 2020, Perfect Daily Grind explored the Democratic Republic of Congo’s reemergence as a specialty coffee origin, highlighting the country’s diverse growing regions, distinctive cup profiles, and...

October 19, 2020

Coffee & Conflict In The Democratic Republic Of Congo

In October 2020, Perfect Daily Grind explored the impact of decades of conflict on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s coffee industry, featuring insights from Higher Grounds co-founder Chris...

August 19, 2025

Best of Congo Sees Multiple 88+ Coffees, Auction Ends Friday

In August 2025, Daily Coffee News reported on the results of the second Best of Congo Cooperatives competition, where multiple coffees from the Democratic Republic of Congo earned...

July 28, 2025

Second Best of Congo Cooperatives Competition and Auction Coming to U.S.

In July 2025, Daily Coffee News reported on the second Best of Congo Cooperatives competition and auction, an initiative connecting specialty coffee producers in the Democratic Republic of...

August 03, 2025

Strength in Numbers: Is Cooperative Coffee Buying Right for Your Business?

In August 2025, Roast Magazine explored the benefits and challenges of cooperative coffee buying, examining how independent roasters can work together to source green coffee, share resources, and...

September 20, 2007

Higher Grounds Trading Co. Brings its Pioneering Spirit to Bear on to Ethiopian Fine Coffee Initiative

In September 2007, CSRwire highlighted Higher Grounds Trading Co.’s involvement in the Ethiopian Fine Coffee Initiative, an effort to strengthen the value and recognition of Ethiopia’s distinctive specialty...

June 13, 2016

10 Minutes With Jennifer Yeatts of Higher Grounds

In June 2016, Barista Magazine featured Jennifer Yeatts, then Director of Coffee at Higher Grounds Trading Co., in its “10 Minutes With…” interview series. Jennifer shared her journey...

October 01, 2016

Traverse City’s Higher Grounds Coffee Snags Front Page In Wall Street Journal

In October 2016, 9&10 News highlighted Higher Grounds Coffee’s front-page recognition in The Wall Street Journal. The local report featured co-founder Chris Treter discussing the company’s work with...

May 15, 2025

Coffee, conflict and ties between Traverse City and the Congo

In May 2025, Interlochen Public Radio reported on the enduring relationship between Higher Grounds Coffee and Rebuild Women’s Hope, a women-led coffee cooperative in the Democratic Republic of...

October 14, 2016

The Most Dangerous Cup of Coffee in the World

In October 2016, The Wall Street Journal featured Higher Grounds Coffee and co-founder Chris Treter in a front-page story exploring the challenges and potential of specialty coffee in...