Our Story
North Central's Coffee Lab is one of a few collegiate facilities of its kind in the United States. However, it is the first laboratory with a primary focus on the business of coffee. The Coffee Lab houses operations for our students run coffee business where our students roast, package, and sell our coffee, while also supporting opportunities for student and faculty research surrounding this global industry.
Our coffee is roasted and sold with one goal in mind: Connect our customers to the farmers that grow our signature product. In fact, with every bag of coffee you'll receive a picture and quote from a farmer that contributed to this year's harvest. When you purchase coffee from the North Central College Coffee Lab, you not only support our students through learning how to run a business, but also a community abroad that relies on coffee as a way of life. This mutually beneficial relationship between our students and partners at origin makes our business a unique model that highlights how truly good coffee can be.
Meet Some of Our Partners
Luisa
"First we thank God, and also thank all of you for always keeping us and our coffee in mind."
Pedro
"I am very grateful to them, those in the United States. They help us here in San Lucas. They help us through the coffee that they buy. They pay in a little more in order to help us. Thank you very much!"
Toribio
"Welcome to the heart of coffee. Here in Guatemala, espeically in San Lucas Tolimon, we produce high quality coffee. Our people and our families benefit from the job that coffee farming provides."
Carlos
"This coffee is made with lots of effort from each family, including spouses and children. Everyone works together. Thank you for buying our coffee at the best possible price."
Tomas
"At about 12 or 14 years old I began working on coffee plantations. There, I learned how to cultivate coffee. Little by little we planted our own coffee. Now, My children have their own small coffee farms. Thank you to you who buy our coffee. You are helping us. The coffee from here in the highlands is of high quality."
Carlos
"The coffee harvest is of great benefit to our family. It allows us to provide for the family and helps us with everything. Our coffee being roasted and sold to people in other countries allows for them to get to know something about our work and what we do here in Guatemala. I hope they continue to enjoy the coffee and know that when they drink the coffee there, they support us here."
Industry Sponsors
The North Central College Coffee Lab is thankful to have support from numerous companies across our industry. If you or your company is interested in supporting The Coffee Lab, click here for more information.