Shearwater Coffee Roasters

Founded in 2013 by Ed Freedman, Shearwater Coffee Roasters operates out of Trumbull, Connecticut, and is recognized as a family-run business. The company established itself as the first USDA Certified Organic coffee roaster in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The operation is managed by Freedman, with family members, including his daughter Leah, involved in the roasting and facility management processes. The company maintains a small-batch production model, roasting approximately 20 pounds of coffee at a time to ensure quality control and flavor profile consistency.

The core of Shearwater’s business model is its strict adherence to USDA Organic standards, which mandates that all coffee beans are grown without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides. This commitment extends to their roasting facility, which is also certified organic. Beyond organic certification, the company’s products are also certified Kosher, reflecting a comprehensive approach to their production standards.

Shearwater utilizes a Diedrich IR-12 infra-red roaster, a choice driven by the machine's energy efficiency. This equipment is central to their sustainability philosophy, which aims to minimize the company's carbon footprint. The roasting process is designed to capture the natural characteristics of the origin, typically resulting in light to medium roast profiles that are air-cooled to preserve sweetness and aromatics while avoiding bitterness.

Sourcing is a critical component of the company's operations. Shearwater procures its green coffee through established importers such as Organic Products Trading Company, Royal Coffee New York, Olam, and InterAmerican Coffee. These beans are sourced from small farms in regions including Mexico, Central and South America, East Africa, and Indonesia. The company emphasizes the importance of regenerative farming practices, noting that many of their partner farms are transitioning to methods that improve soil health and plant vitality.

In practice, the company serves a diverse customer base, including wholesale accounts with local cafes, restaurants, and independent grocery retailers, as well as direct-to-consumer sales through their online store and physical coffee bars. By roasting in small batches and prioritizing freshness, the company aims to deliver coffee to customers within days of the roasting date. This logistical focus is intended to ensure that the final cup reflects the quality of the green coffee and the precision of the roasting process.

Shearwater has also engaged in community-focused initiatives, such as the 'Savor & Support' program, which highlights their involvement in local charitable efforts. Their presence in the specialty coffee market has been documented by industry publications, including a 2014 review by Coffee Review, which recognized their organic Ethiopia Homacho Waeno for its balanced, complex flavor profile. Today, the company continues to operate as a dedicated organic roaster, maintaining its focus on small-batch production and environmental stewardship within the Connecticut coffee scene.