Care Packs for baristas with #BaristaCare, a coffee community project

Over 250 care packs pledged for furloughed baristas by leading coffee companies

The Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown has had a profound impact on baristas and coffee professionals.

The inevitable uncertainty has created insecurity for many baristas and coffee professionals and hardship in a number of cases where employers have not been able to pay wages and/or furloughed wages until government financial support begins to be distributed.

United Baristas has instigated #BaristaCare to support the coffee community at this time. Teaming up with like-minded coffee companies the first action is to distribute over 250 care packs to furloughed baristas and coffee professionals. And we hope to be able to distribute as many as 500 packs!

“We want baristas and coffee professionals to know that the coffee industry cares for them”, explains United Baristas founder Tim Ridley. He continues, “Care Packs have been designed to provide practical support to those baristas facing hardship and emotional support to all”.

Care packs include:

  • Coffee – donated
  • Oatly – donated
  • Mr Black – donated
  • London Coffee Festival ticket – donated
  • Groceries and preserves (suitable for vegetarians)
  • Chocolate and treats
  • Toilet roll!

Industry Collaboration

An initial 234 Care Packs are made possible with the support of a variety of businesses in the coffee industry include Oatly, Allegra, La Marzocco, Brewed by Hand, Mr Black and Caffeine magazine.

The objective is to provide as many as 500 Care Packs and United Baristas continues to actively seeks support from coffee companies to fund additional packs.

Fundraising with auctions – coffee drinkers can support their baristas

Coffee companies have also donated products and services for a series of auctions – with the proceeds going entirely to fund additional Care Packs.

The auctions are a great way for coffee drinkers and individuals to be able to support the coffee community.

Auctions run twice each week, with bidding closing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. With initial donations it is anticipated that the proceeds will allow for over 250 care packs to be assembled and dispatched.

Further donations sought

United Baristas is actively seeking further donations to fund more Care Packs.

Individuals and coffee companies can provide support in a number of ways including financial and product donations.

Register for a Care Pack

Barista or coffee professional that are based in the UK and furloughed as part of the Covid-19 pandemic can now register for Care Pack on the #BaristaCare website.