The provincial government is providing Jumping Bean Coffee with $50,000 to help them expand their business to new markets.

Owner Jeff LeDrew says the company, based in Mount Pearl, is one of the few still roasting coffee in Canada.

“Tim Horton’s is basically a Brazilian company,” LeDrew offers as an example. “We try to tell the story…of our low carbon footprint; we’re a fair-trade organic, which is obviously sustainable and fair to the workers.” LeDrew says sustainability is top of mind “for everyone these days, so, we’re hoping to expand using our values.”

Getting coffee out to the main grocery retailers has not been an easy process says LeDrew, because it’s highly competitive and comes with annual fees. They’re focusing on online sales to help gain greater access to customers.

“Online has been huge for us,” says LeDrew. “It’s been an easy way for people who can’t get it in these specific stores, to be able to buy the product.”

The company is now working on exporting its product to new markets, and LeDrew is off to trade shows next week in Seattle and Montreal, focused on export for grocery and independent retailers interested in more varied coffee products.