Articles in the Events Category

The Salt Spring Coffee Story: CEO Mickey McLeod at Vancouver’s EP!C May 29

•  27 May 2010

Mickey with Pangoa Peru Farmers

Mickey’s McLeod journey into the world of coffee began long before he co-founded Salt Spring Coffee in 1996 with his wife, Robbyn Scott.

Mickey was born and raised in British Columbia and spent most of his youth in small rural communities in the province, including Texada Island. It was here that Mickey formed the foundation for his core beliefs centered on achieving a proper balance between people and the planet.

He and Robbyn first started with an organic market garden along with a custom selective sawmill business on Salt Spring Island in 1981 before launching what is now the Salt Spring Coffee. Its origin evolved out of the couple’s passion for coffee and a firm belief that making great coffee doesn’t have to compromise the earth.

Fifteen years later, the company is operationally carbon neutral and has grown to become Western Canada’s largest and most respected artisan roaster of organic, fair trade direct, shade grown coffees. The company and its owners have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the David Suzuki Foundation for their efforts to operate a business in the most socially responsible and environmentally conscious way in which they can.

Hear Mickey recount the Salt Spring Coffee story and meet him in person at Vancouver’s EP!C Sustainability Expo on May 29, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Main Stage. Be sure to drop into Salt Spring Coffee (booth #1915) to sample some of our Culinary Coffees and Classic Coffees free of charge.

Category: Events

Meet, hear and watch the Salt Spring Coffee crew at Vancouver’s EP!C Sustainability Expo May 28-30

•  27 May 2010

Banks Thomas making coffee

Banks Thomas is one serious coffee guy.

Banks Thomas first fell in love with espresso on a trip to Little Italy in New York City when he was 11 years old. He was a barista by age 15 and has been in the coffee business ever since. He’s done stints as a café manager, manager of a coffee chain, customer sales rep, buyer and roaster.

Now Director of Coffee at Salt Spring Coffee, Banks will share some of his 20+ years of coffee wisdom, experience and passion at EPIC: The Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo.

He’ll share the stage with coffee visionary Mickey McLeod, Salt Spring Coffee’s owner, President and CEO on May 29, 2010 at 2:00pm at EPIC's Main Stage. They will discuss Salt Spring Coffee's roots, its leadership in sustainable business practices and latest initiatives.

Banks Thomas will also lead three coffee making demonstrations at the EPICurean Stage, one each day of the three-day event. For details, visit http://epicvancouver.com/visit/epicurean-stage

Here's Thomas’ promise to anyone who attends his demonstration:

You'll brew better coffee because you'll learn how to apply proper brewing methods. I gave a demo at EPIC in 2009 and they’ve invited me back this year to give three demonstrations on how to make great coffee at home. It can take serious money to make café-style coffee at home, so I’m going to focus on three low-cost alternatives to professional equipment.

Thomas will also demonstrate his favorite brewing method - a Chemex glass coffee decanter. Check out Banks' video tutorial on how to brew the perfect coffee with a Chemex.

Stop by Salt Spring Coffee at EPIC (booth #1915) to sample some of our Culinary Coffees and Classic Coffees free of charge. Coffee equipment featured in Thomas’ demonstration will also be available for purchase.

Category: Events