This Indigenous-Owned Coffee Company Just Launched In Costco (Win!)

Birch Bark Coffee, an impact-driven, sustainable brand offering organic and Fairtrade certified coffee, has made history as the first Indigenous coffee company to launch in Costco. With a strong mission to uplift Indigenous communities, this milestone will help the brand expand its reach and deepen its positive impact. In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with founder Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow to explore Birch Bark’s journey, its commitment to supporting Indigenous communities, and what this new partnership with Costco means for the future of the brand. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about coffee with a purpose. —Noa Nichol

What does it mean to you and the Birch Bark Coffee Company to be the first Indigenous-owned coffee brand to launch in Costco, and how do you see this impacting your mission of uplifting Indigenous communities?

The impact for Birch Bark Coffee is going to allow us to accelerate our work. Through our launch in Costco we can tap into these large retailer’s customer base. We want to give people an opportunity to make a difference and give back in a way that is accessible. We are showing people that there are ethical, sustainable options out there and that their purchase makes an impact in uplifting Indigenous communities through our business model. It’s such a simple way for people to be a part of the Birch Bark journey.

Beyond that, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the way for other Indigenous entrepreneurs. I liken this to snowshoeing. As you walk, you leave footprints and it’s really important to me that I am leaving good footprints so that others can follow in the path and see what is possible. It is an honour and responsibility to be able to share my journey and if I’m lucky, influence others along the way.

Birch Bark Coffee has a strong focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Can you share more about how these values are integrated into your coffee production and how your partnership with Reunion Coffee Roasters supports this vision?

The entire purpose of Birch Bark Coffee was to create something that would have a positive impact on the world. There is a deep respect for the farmers, the producers and every individual that is a part of Birch Bark Coffee and I have never wavered on my standards. My work is not to do things the way everyone else has, but to look at how things are done and try to do it better. To me, that means creating a product that I could stand behind. Our coffees are all 100% organic, Fairtrade Certified and Sustainable and have been intentionally created and designed.

The partnership with Reunion Roasters was an act of divine timing. I had just decided I needed to find a partner to help me expand this business as I was preparing to return to Ontario and focus on expanding across Canada. Literally, a week later, I was connected with Adam, the President of Reunion Coffee Roasters, and we hit it off. Our values of honesty and integrity- both in business and our personal lives – are completely aligned and it’s been a great partnership so far.

What role do you believe coffee plays in fostering unity and raising awareness about critical issues facing Indigenous communities across Canada, and how does Birch Bark Coffee contribute to this larger conversation?

Firstly, I could have chosen any business to launch but I had this ‘aha’ moment one evening when I realized it had to be coffee. From there, the idea of coffee making a difference, which is one of our main statements, was born.

Coffee is a social connector. We gather, we talk, and we connect over coffee. It’s a great way of meeting others and socializing. Even as an introvert, I see the importance of getting together to have meaningful conversations and share stories. I have so many examples of times I have connected with someone, whether we were one on one, or they attended a talk I gave in a group of thousands, and I’ll get this beautiful email about how my stories have impacted them. It is deeply fulfilling to know that I may have reached even just one person with a talk or story.

You’ve mentioned that every pound of coffee sold helps bring clean drinking water to Indigenous homes. Can you tell us more about the impact Birch Bark has made so far in addressing water advisories, and what future goals you have for this initiative?

When creating Birch Bark Coffee giving back to Indigenous communities was important to me.

Canada is regarded as one of the richest countries in the world and ranked as one of the United Nations’ top places in the world to live, yet Indigenous families continue to face conditions comparable to the developing world. Thousands of Indigenous people still lack access to clean drinking water—a stark reality that has persisted for decades.

At Birch Bark Coffee, we are committed to changing this. Through every purchase, we reinvest proceeds to fund long-term, sustainable solutions for the urgent challenges Indigenous communities face. It started with clean drinking water, now we are currently working on initiatives that not only provide essential resources but also foster independence, growth, and lasting opportunities. We aim to launch this initiative later this year.

As you expand into a larger retail market through Costco, what challenges and opportunities do you foresee in maintaining the integrity of your brand’s mission and values?

This is a great question. I do not focus on the challenges as I am moving forward. We are clear on our values and our mission at Birch Bark. We are here to use coffee to make a difference and uplift Indigenous communities. Being available in larger retailers like Costco allows us to showcase sustainable and ethical coffee to a broader audience. It also enables us to further support Indigenous communities, as a portion of every sale goes to supporting initiatives in Indigenous communities.

Win! A Year’s Worth Of Birch Bark Coffee!

One lucky Canadian winner will receive a year’s worth of Birch Bark Coffee, including a mix of 12X bags, a $230 value! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @birchbarkcoffeeco and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens September 30, 2024 and closes October 6, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.