The Chajulense farmer cooperative was founded in 1988 by just 40 farmers in the northern highlands of Guatemala. Since 2006, Bongo has partnered with them through Cooperative Coffees, the roaster-owned importing group. That long-term relationship has supported the co-op's growth to around 1,500 members today. This light roast shows off the best of the region—elevations up to 5,400 feet, shade-grown practices, and generations of knowledge packed into every harvest.
Bongo Java Roasting Co. was founded on March 28, 1993 by Bob Bernstein in an 80 year old house turned café in Nashville's Hillsboro Village, making it the city's oldest coffee company. The roastery holds the distinction of being Nashville's first and only Certified Organic coffee roaster, with every bean also carrying Fair Trade certification. All coffee is sourced in small quantities directly from ethical, family owned farms and cooperatives. The wholesale operation has been running since 2000, supplying local coffee shops and grocery stores. Beyond the original café, the Bongo Java family now includes five locations across Nashville and related ventures including Fido and Game Point Café.
