Beyond the Brew: Soldadera Coffee’s Recipe for Success and Social Impact

Nestled in the heart of West Michigan, Soldadera Coffee is more than just a coffee company; it’s a family-oriented small business whose goal is to bring a unique-tasting Cold Brew coffee to its community with a purpose.

Founded by siblings Gabriela and Mario Rodriguez-Garcia, Soldadera Coffee sprang from a deep-seated family tradition and a serendipitous rediscovery of Café de Olla during a business trip in Monterrey, Mexico. Recalling the cherished moments of their childhood in Mexico City, where mornings were marked by the sweet aroma of their grandmother Cristina’s brewing coffee, the siblings were inspired to fill a niche in the American market for the unique flavor and style of Mexican cold brew coffee. After experimenting with 70 different brews, they perfected their cold brew Café de Olla, capturing the rich, chocolatey aroma and earthy notes of cinnamon and licorice that they had come to miss.

Café de Olla is a blend of coffee that was created during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). During the revolution, women and men fought together. The women soldiers, called “Adelitas,” had many responsibilities and were extremely important during the Mexican Revolution. The women maintained the forces by assisting in battles, cooking, cleaning, etc. The Adelitas even went on to become colonels. To keep up the stamina of the soldiers the Adelitas created a blend of spices, coffee, and sugar in clay pots which they would then hand out to all the soldiers for an energy boost to keep the soldiers energized throughout the war. This blend of coffee was henceforth called Cafe de Olla literally meaning “coffee from a clay pot.”

“We decided to focus on Cafe de Olla because of the strong symbolism this coffee has had in our life. We woke up to our grandmother making this coffee for our family. She was a strong and independent woman who influenced us greatly when we were growing up,” said Gabriela Rodriguez-Garcia. “With every sip of Soldadera Coffee it should transport you to the world of Mexico, a place where spices and flavors are abundant. A place where women are the driving force for good, helping families and communities one step at a time.”

Established in 2018, Soldadera Coffee began by selling their products at Bridge Street Market, the first small format market opened by Meijer. The coffee company’s journey shifted gears in 2022 when it received funding from Fair Food Network‘s Fair Food Fund and ongoing business support from JPG Resources, both are partners of Michigan Good Food Fund. Financing helped Soldadera Coffee scale up its operations, broaden its inventory, and build valuable business connections. With tailored mentoring and strategic advice, Mario and Gabriela refined Soldadera Coffee’s business model to ensure sustainability and greater market penetration.

At its core, Soldadera Coffee is committed to fostering inclusivity and supporting community empowerment. The business consciously supports and partners with other entities that align with their ethos of gender equity and racial justice. Each batch of coffee sold brings a unique taste to the table and also contributes to the greater cause of community development and social equity. The company continues to partner with organizations in Michigan and beyond to bring its products to more communities.

Expanding a niche product into a competitive market was not without its hurdles. However, Gabriel and Mario shared that the support from Michigan Good Food Fund and the community has been pivotal.

Aaron Jackson, Michigan Good Food Fund Director at Fair Food Network shared “Soldadera Coffee recently received additional financing from Fair Food Network and is set to increase its production further and continue expanding into more Midwestern markets.” He added, “The Rodriguez-Garcia siblings are eager to keep the momentum going, with plans to enhance their production facilities and introduce new products while staying true to their mission of empowerment and community service.”

If the success of Soldadera Coffee’s placement in Meijer stores in six states indicates what’s to come, coffee fans across the country will soon know what they’ve been missing.

Ready to embrace the culture of Café de Olla? Subscribe to Soldadera’s email list or follow them on social media to learn more about their products and mission.

For B2B opportunities connect with Soldadera here.