The Patronage Problem in Specialty Coffee The specialty coffee industry is built on complex relationships between farmers, roasters, and cafe owners, with a patronage system favoring established players over newcomers.
This patronage problem has far reaching consequences, influencing the livelihoods of small scale farmers and shaping products available in cafes.
Understanding the Patronage Problem in Specialty Coffee Patronage refers to preferential treatment given by roasters or cafe owners to specific suppliers, often based on personal relationships rather than merit.