Image: Marye Audet Apron Strings & Simmering Things

Content: (c) Marye Audet for Kettle & Cup

A few weeks ago during a blog surf I came across a reference to Honor Grounds Coffee. I did a little research, was interested and emailed the company to get some more information..and maybe a sample to tell you about.

First of all, I was totally blown away by how really NICE these people are. On a weekend no less, my email was responded to within an hour. That led to several emails back and forth with Dan Boudreau.

Motto: “We Support Military Members, Veterans and Their Families, One Cup at a Time”.

I must say that I am impressed with this company. I hope you will be, too.

The mission statement: To raise support dollars for veterans and military members who have served this great nation, and their loved ones so often left behind.

Honor Grounds gives a portion, a generous portion actually, of each package of coffee sold to Military Assistance funds, on a state by state basis. Did you read that? State by state! This means that when I buy their coffee from a store in Texas, the percentage of my purchase goes to funds for Texas troops and veterans programs. It supports the local vet, not some guy two thousand miles away. It supports programs to help Marc with his disability, programs to help our family cope with it. Awesome. I can get behind that. Here is a direct quote:

…These dollars are donated to the local citizen soldiers through selected military support organizations. The total contribution amount will vary from state to state depending on the success of the program within that state. The contribution dollars are disbursed on a quarterly basis through our “Patriot Fund” to your “local” Military Family Assistance Programs. Tee- It-Up-For-The-Troops, a non-profit 503c organization has been chosen to manage the funds. In addition to the support dollars, service members and veterans will be recognized for their service through the Hometown Hero stories post on the Honor Grounds website and on the back of retail grocery bags of Honor Grounds coffee. This is how we intend to give back to those who sacrifice to protect our nation.

For an extra measure of accountability all donations will be posted on the website.

Currently the Patriot Fund supports the following organizations:

• Veterans Services
• American Legion
• Military Family Outreach
• Joint National Guard Family Assistance Programs

The coffee is still in the process of being introduced to stores all over the country. I know it is not available here in Texas yet. I imagine that by showing an interest in the coffee, asking for it at your local store, and giving your store manager the website address to talk to Dan about it, we could get this coffee in stores sooner. It is being introduced in the following Midwest and Northeast stores:

• Cub Foods: Minnesota (70 stores)
• Nash Finch: Minnesota (70 corporate stores and 500 affiliated stores)
• Hannaford Brothers: 5 states in New England (150 stores)
• Fareway stores: Iowa (90 stores)
• Big Y: Massachusetts (50 stores)

You can currently order the coffee at Honor Grounds Online Store if it is not available in your area.

It is $20.95 for 3/10 oz. bags.

The roasts are:

D-Day Decaf-Perfectly blended coffees without all the caffeine (And the only decaf I have ever liked in my life)

Reveille Dark- A medium dark roasted coffee with a distinctive and delicious taste.

Five Star Joe – Rich, smooth blend of 100% Arabicas

But is it good?

Oh my goodness. I love it. It comes in only ground coffee at this point. I have a couple of emails into Dan Boudreau to answer questions and that is one of them, I will update this as soon as I hear from him.

I will be doing a couple of reviews over the next week..but to give you a hint..I tried the decaf last night..and you know I despise decaf…

I loved it. I drank 3 large cups with one of the Berger Cookies I made…and then I slept. Ahhh. Good Times.

Hey, if you order coffee from them, let them know you read about it here. Maybe they will send me more.

UPDATED :

Heard from Dan.  They only carry ground coffee at this time but are open to whole bean in the future.  They do not deal in Fair Trade coffees now, because they are trying to keep the coffee affordable for everyone.

This is what I would like to do.  If you pray, I want you to pray like crazy that they find a source for Fair Trade Organics that would allow them to maintain their prices.  Perfect solution, right? I thought so.

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