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 cooperative’s work to improve the quality of life for small-scale coffee farmers through Fair Trade and organic coffee sourcing.

The article highlights a model built on collaboration between independent roasters and producer organizations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. As a member of Cooperative Coffees, Higher Grounds shares in this approach to building long-term producer relationships and supporting a more equitable coffee supply chain. The award reflects the broader impact of collective purchasing and the belief that specialty coffee can create lasting benefits for the communities where it is grown.