Bongo Java Roasting Co
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Bongo Java Roasting Co. is a Nashville-based coffee roaster and retailer founded in 1993, recognized as the city's oldest coffee house. It is notable for its long-standing commitment to 100% USDA organic certification and its foundational role in Cooperative Coffees, an importer collective that prioritizes direct, ethical trade with small-scale farmer cooperatives at prices exceeding standard fair trade rates.
Bongo Java Roasting Co. was established on March 28, 1993, by Bob Bernstein in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally opening in an 80-year-old house in Hillsboro Village, the company grew to become Nashville’s oldest coffee house. Over the past three decades, the business has expanded into a multi-faceted operation that includes several cafe locations, such as Fido and Game Point, alongside its dedicated roasting facility located on Herron Drive in Nashville.
A defining characteristic of Bongo Java’s operational philosophy is its commitment to organic and ethical sourcing. The company holds the distinction of being Nashville’s first certified organic coffee roaster. Every batch of coffee produced by the roastery is 100% USDA organic certified, reflecting a long-term dedication to sustainable agricultural practices that avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
In 1999, Bongo Java played a pivotal role in the formation of Cooperative Coffees, a green coffee importing collective. This partnership was created to bypass traditional, opaque supply chains and establish a more equitable trading model. By joining forces with other like-minded roasters, Bongo Java was able to purchase coffee directly from small-scale farmer cooperatives, ensuring that producers received prices that consistently exceeded standard fair trade requirements.
The company’s sourcing model focuses on building long-term, transparent relationships with farming communities. By purchasing in small quantities directly from family-owned farms and cooperatives, the roaster aims to provide stability to producers who might otherwise face significant market barriers. This collaborative approach has allowed the company to maintain a supply chain that emphasizes social impact alongside product quality.
Beyond its sourcing practices, Bongo Java has maintained a consistent presence in the Nashville community, with its cafes serving as neighborhood hubs. The company’s branding and packaging have evolved to reflect both its heritage and its modern specialty coffee identity. In 2026, the company received recognition from the Specialty Coffee Association for its packaging design, which incorporates visual elements inspired by Nashville’s cultural energy and the agricultural origins of its coffee.
Today, Bongo Java continues to operate as a privately held, Nashville-based entity. Its business model integrates retail cafe operations, wholesale distribution to local grocery stores and coffee shops, and a robust e-commerce platform. The company remains focused on its original mission of building community through coffee, maintaining its status as a significant contributor to the specialty coffee landscape in the Southern United States.