How an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Inspired a Sustainable Coffee Journey

^{Photo by Steve Haywood Photography.}

Guest Blog Post - Owens Coffee

Nestled in South Devon on the edge of Dartmoor, Owens Coffee has had sustainability at its core since Lorraine Bridden founded the Ivybridge-based roastery in 2010. Owens wants to help people enjoy better coffee. That not only means coffee that tastes great, it also means coffee that is better for people and planet.

When the business first started roasting in nearby Modbury, the town had just become the world’s first plastic-bag-free zone. This pioneering spirit reflects the values of South Devon's residents and visitors who care deeply about the area. With rolling green hills and breathtaking coastlines, the landscape of this region is unparalleled. Over 130 square miles are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the South Hams where Ivybridge and Modbury are both situated.

Inspired by all of this, Owens Coffee aims to give back to the local environment and its community.

By becoming Organic and Fairtrade certified early on, Lorraine ensured Owens Coffee had the backing of respected organisations like the Soil Association and Fairtrade Foundation. Certification provides full traceability from bean to cup, with auditing at every stage and organic farming means working in harmony with nature, aligning with the team’s vision.

In 2018, Owens Coffee moved to Ivybridge, the Gateway to Dartmoor – when they invested in new smoke-free roasting equipment – a model which is 80% more energy-efficient than traditional roasting equipment. The sustainably constructed facilities also reflect the company's values, whilst working towards a zero waste-to-landfill strategy has been another key priority.

Giving back locally is important to Owens Coffee. They partner with community groups and social enterprises, and have presented to children from local schools on sustainability topics – in most recent year speaking about climate change and how organic farming and the Fairtrade Foundation are working towards minimising the impact of climate change on coffee farming communities.

The business provides coffee to cafés and restaurants across South Devon and beyond and visitors to the area (often having tried the coffee in one of the eateries supplied by the business), often head to The Roastery to purchase the coffee beans, which they take back home to enjoy. They can then buy the beans direct from the Roastery online or through a coffee subscription.

Owens also welcomes coffee-loving visitors who join them for on-site experiences like their Coffee Tasting & Brewing course, Home Barista Masterclass and even a Latte Art Essentials Workshop, where passionate brew-at-home baristas can learn the fundamentals of coffee presentation. A tour of the Roastery is always a part of these experiences, and it is a fantastic way to spend a fun, productive, hands-on few hours as part of a break or day out in South Devon.

With sustainability at its heart, Owens Coffee aims to support the South Devon landscape and the people that inspired its founding. And the area's natural beauty continues to shape the roaster’s ongoing commitment to ethical, eco-friendly practices.