Diane Merritt, Owner and Roaster

10 years ago, l saw coffee beans being roasted, and l was fascinated by the process.  l have loved coffee for a long time.

I had the opportunity to start a business with a client to roast coffee.  l got a small table top roaster and 50 pounds of Colombian coffee and started teaching myself to roast coffee.  After 6  months of hard work, l had come up with the roasts to where they would be marketable – and thus Harvest American Coffee was born.

Having been a massage therapist for 20 plus years and raising 2 children, I am now a single mother of young adults.  I realized that I needed a partner and met Helen and told her about my business.  She was interested in joining me on my coffee adventure.

My goal as a coffee roaster, is to able to supply other coffee lovers with fresh roasted fairtrade organic coffee at a reasonable price.

Our coffee is roasted using a hot air roaster that does not produce sulphur compounds on the coffee, avoiding a bitter undertone when its roasted.  One of our goals is to see this company as a fundraising opportunity to help cheerleaders or the fire department or whoever needs to raise money.  Harvest American can offer a good product to sell to raise money. 

We get our coffee beans from a fairtrade company that goes into other countries and helps villages to become self-sustainable to raise their beans in a renewable way.  We procure coffee with no pesticides and want people to think about their coffee and just take time to drink good roasted coffee.

"HUMANITY RUNS ON COFFEE"

Helen Dobrowolski, Owner / Sales

Having spent the bulk of my working life juggling a career whilst raising 3 children; l have to say l have certainly consumed my fair share of coffee!!

I made the big move from Melbourne (Australia) to Western New York a year ago and wasn't sure where I'd land business-wise.  With a background predominately in Sales and procurement roles l knew could probably fit in anywhere but wasn't sure where to start.

When Diane approached me about the opportunity to partner with her to grow a local business that gives back to the community; l was intrigued.  When l found out that we would be roasting and delivering sustainable, fair trade, organic, delicious coffee to our customers l couldn't resist!

I am thrilled to be part of the Harvest American Coffee adventure and can't wait to share our vision and delicious brew with you.