Grounds for Change is a local family-owned and operated coffee roasting business in Poulsbo. They roast small batches of 100% fair trade, organic coffee. “As long-time members of 1% for the Planet, we are excited to expand the reach of our donations and continue supporting great organizations doing important work that we believe in,” says founders Kelsey and Stacey Marshall.
While their impact is far-reaching, Grounds for Change has humble beginnings. In 2002, Stacey Marshall was working to support field trips for middle school students focused on leatherback turtle habitat restoration. The field trips were an opportunity for students to visit Costa Rica and learn about habitat restoration and the critical role of healthy ecosystems. The challenge? Funding such an experience wasn’t easy. To help cover costs, students launched a small-batch coffee fundraiser.
The fundraiser changed everything. During the process, Stacey and her husband Kelsey were invited on a transformative tour of the coffee farms in Costa Rica, and the idea for Grounds for Change was born. “We decided to test the waters of fair-trade coffee roasting and built a small shed in our backyard,” Kelsey recalls with a chuckle. From there, Grounds for Change has grown into a thriving business, selling wholesale coffee all over the country.
From the start, The Marshalls knew that they wanted their business to make a difference in their community. They were inspired by the environmental sustainability work of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. “We were doing a lot of research into their practices and came across the website for 1% for the Planet. It was a freestanding non-profit that supported environmental causes. We’ve been a member since the early days; member 30 or something like that,” Kelsey says.
1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet. Business partners like Grounds for Change commit to donating at least 1% of annual sales to approved environmental organizations. “You’ve heard the saying, ‘There’s no business on a dead planet.’ This is our way of ensuring we are part of maintaining the quality of life in our region,” explains Kelsey.
In 2024, Grounds for Change nominated Great Peninsula Conservancy to receive donations from 1% for the Planet. “We used to live in Indianola and drove past Grovers Creek every time we went into town. We like the idea of the Conservancy, buying land and keeping it wild. There’s something very appealing about that,” says Kelsey. “You’re also a long-standing organization that has broad spectrum appeal and staying power. We hope that by nominating you for 1% that we can encourage other local organizations to support you as well.”
We’re incredibly grateful for Grounds for Change’s support and encourage our community to support them in return. You can find their 100% fair trade, organic coffee at local retailers like Kitsap Community Co-op, Indianola Country Store, Town & Country Markets on Bainbridge and Poulsbo, and the Chimacum Corner Store up in Jefferson County.
To learn more about Grounds for Change, visit groundsforchange.com/.