A great deal of hard work was involved in setting up the company. The LYF worked closely with the Oromo community throughout and secured crucial support from a range of businesses and contributors. This included: importing, Fairtrade certification and quality control (Bolling Coffee www.bollingcoffee.co.uk), product logo, branding and packaging design (thanks to Asone Design www.asone.co.uk), Company registration, sourcing an office and infrastructure (thanks to Tameside Council).

 Just months later in May 2009, the OCC were able to launch – at Westminster - their own range of Fairtrade coffee (thanks to James Purnell MP and Brian Keegan of 360 Group). The launch was attended by Tadesse Meskela (featured in the film ‘Black Gold’ and General Manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union)  and Lorna Young’s parents.

Crucial to the OCC’s success has been in-kind support from these partners.  It has been by no means easy to balance the capacity building needs of the Oromo community with the expectations of ‘speed and customer demands’ that even the ethical trading world is used to. And the challenge was doubled by the need to find a group of volunteers who not only had high levels of business skills, but who were committed to the practical skill-sharing and facilitating real empowerment for the Oromo community. But we have been fortunate to have received support from a band of excellent local volunteers and supporters. Their commitment and dedication is greatly appreciated.

The unusual ‘quadruple whammy’ of the initiative (Fairtrade and Organic cert'd PLUS skills building and social profits for local people) and the quality of the coffee has led to the OCC being inundated with demand. The OCC brand is now available in a number of retail outlets and many approaches from ethically minded community groups, churches and faith groups who see the value in the initiative are being made. The company has also just secured its first corporate contract.

The company is now growing and has an increasing number of Oromo residents receiving training and support in running their business and selling this ‘high end’, high quality filter coffee from Ethiopia – the birthplace of coffee. 

Please contact us at the LYF if you have any questions in relation to the OCC initiative, or, if you would like to find out where Oromo coffee is stocked, go to. www.oromocoffee.org  (and feel free to add the link to your own website - go to the 'Partners' page for the code)

“The LYF is forging an innovative new path in this vital sector bringing together local communities from around the world. They help deliver for the producers as well as forging strong community links here in the UK and are raising the expectations and aspirations of all involved. I fully support their work and wish them all the best in the future”. (James Purnell MP/former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)