Keeping our Caffeine Routines Local with some #LocalGoodnessYEG

For many folks, coffee is food. And a lot has changed about our caffeine routines in the time of COVID. No longer are we sharing coffee or tea around the water cooler, in the lunch room with colleagues, or during coffee breaks to the nearest third-wave coffeehouse. No longer do we have those daytime meetings with clients, or those much-needed afternoon or weekend gatherings with friends or neighbours at a local cafe over a cappuccino or a nice cup or tea. Truly, caffeine ingestion and the experiences related to it are just one of many differences we’re navigating in this time. 

Of course, much beyond our changed routines, these times have been challenging for many workers in our local cafes who may have been laid off due to closures or reduced hours and fewer patrons, especially with so many of us working from home. Others working for chain coffee retailers are still, however, asked to be on the job as essential workers. In both capacities, wages, benefits, and job security for many such baristas are becoming more of a challenge–and that was true even outside of COVID times. Other impacts are also being felt throughout Edmonton’s local coffee production and distribution infrastructure, as changes in how and where people consume their caffeinated beverages impact long-time relationships with producers and distributors across the globe.  

That’s why now, more than ever, keeping “local” with your caffeine habits is important for the businesses that sustain the conversation that coffee and tea bring us. It is critical that we ensure these vital independent businesses and often “third places” in our community remain with us on the other side of COVID, and that we keep as many of our workers employed here in Edmonton as we can. 

Here are 3 local opportunities for you to show your #LocalGoodnessYEG best, supporting #yegfood, while also supporting the caffeinated (or un-caffeinated!) drinks that we pair along with our meals:

1. First, if you can, spend your caffeine budget locally. Order some beans from a local roaster. When you do have to go out for essentials, consider a trip to get a special espresso drink or brewed tea as a treat to highlight your week. Share your caffeinated treats with #LocalGoodnessYEG.
2. With your time (and probably some of your coffee cash too), consider a new setup for brewing at your place. Local shops have lots of great gear, and you could try out a new brewing setup or share about what you are already doing on the #LocalGoodnessYEG caffeine front at home during the pandemic.
3. Use your voice to advocate for workers in this industry. Talk with government representatives (your MLA, MP by phone or email) to share your support during COVID-19 for financial support to workers like baristas who may be out of work, and always make sure to use your voice to advocate for better wages and benefits for workers receiving lower wage and insecure work.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a great list of local updates on coffee and tea brewers and roasters around Edmonton, and how they’re surviving these changed times:

Where to get your beverage fix

Coffee

Tea

Temporarily Closed Local Favorites

Mandolin Coffee Co. & Books

Barking Buffalo Cafe (permanent)

The Nook Cafe

Little Brick

Where to Get Your Grinds