Portland Roasting Coffee Company Grows With New Clients and Expanded Regional Presence

PORTLAND, Ore., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland Roasting Coffee Company has outgrown its position as one of Portland's original micro-roasters. With 2010 sales projected at or above $6 million, and a new sales and distribution office in Sacramento to serve the Northern California and Nevada markets, the company no longer resembles the startup that generated $200,000 in revenue in its first year.

"When I started Portland Roasting almost 14 years ago, I wanted to make responsibly produced premium coffee," said Mark Stell, founder and managing partner. "Now, more than ever, the conscience of the consumer dictates their purchasing decisions. Given our growth across several wholesale categories, it's clear that our end consumers appreciate what we're doing."

Among Portland Roasting's new clients is Vancouver, Wash.-based Burgerville, which signed an exclusive agreement for Portland Roasting to roast and deliver more than 500 pounds of Farm Friendly Direct™ Organic Dark Roast Sumatra and Vienna Decaf each week to all 39 of the chain's Oregon and Southwest Washington locations.

"The Pacific Northwest is known for its love of coffee and for its leadership in sustainable practices. Since coffee beans don't grow here, it was especially important to us to find a local coffee roaster who shares our commitment to sustainability and fair purchasing practices," said Alison Dennis, Burgerville director of supply chain. "Portland Roasting has earned a reputation for social and environmental stewardship here at home and around the world through their Farm Friendly Direct™ program, and their commitment to responsible business practices is very much aligned with our own."

Effective this year, Portland Roasting can now also be purchased at 15 Safeway stores throughout Oregon, as well as at two Whole Foods stores in Portland. These new grocer contracts join shelf space already commanded by the roaster at several Greater Portland-area retailers including selected Fred Meyer stores, New Seasons, and Zupan's Markets, among others.  

Portland Roasting has also earned several new hospitality clients this year, including Pacific Pie Co., Aquariva & Avalon Hotel, Francis Restaurant, Hotel 50, and Clinton Corner Café in Portland, and Ilahee Country Club in Salem, Ore.

To accommodate the growth of its existing clients, and support its own growth, Portland Roasting also opened a Sacramento office and distribution center in late 2009 to serve the Northern California and Nevada markets.

Portland Roasting has earned accolades over the years for its high-quality coffee and dedication to sustainable farming practices and coffee-growing communities through its Farm Friendly Direct™ program. Proceeds from the sale of all of Farm Friendly Direct™ coffees help improve the lives of coffee farmers in areas of Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India and Tanzania, through the building of water treatment facilities, community centers, schools, and much more.

About Portland Roasting

Since opening in Portland, Ore., in 1996, Portland Roasting has hewn to a mission to search out memorable coffee grown by farmers who are committed to stewardship of the land. Proceeds from coffees bearing the roaster's Farm Friendly Direct™ label support farm and community projects that increase the quality of life for growers and their families. Portland Roasting's long-term view of sustainability reaps healthy farms, collaborative relationships with growers, and good coffee.  Look for Portland Roasting coffee at grocers, cafes, restaurants, hotels and universities, and online at www.portlandroasting.com.

SOURCE Portland Roasting Coffee Company