EP 1065 Part 5 of 5 | The Lie About Community in Coffee (Lee Safar) Map It Forward
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Episode Description
This is episode 5 of a five-part solo series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward titled Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud.
In the final episode, Lee Safar challenges the coffee industry’s repeated claim that coffee is all about community.
Trade shows, competitions and public cuppings can create meaningful relationships, but they do not necessarily create communities capable of solving the industry’s biggest problems.
Lee argues that real community requires coffee professionals to meet regularly, discuss difficult issues openly and work together on practical solutions around pricing, legislation, staffing, financing and business survival.
She also challenges the idea that similar businesses must always treat each other as competitors. Cafés, roasters and other coffee businesses can remain in their own lanes while still supporting the health of their local industry.
This episode explores what it means to conspire to each other’s success and why smaller, problem-solving communities may become essential as more independent coffee businesses close, consolidate or struggle to survive.
Connect with Lee Safar here: