The Leader • Saturday, April 21, 2018 • Page 1B
Changing lives one coffee cup, meal at a time By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
A fresh cup of coffee or a delicious dish are pleasures all to themselves, but with some local businesses, the good feelings continue after the meal is over. Coffee shop and non-profit A 2nd Cup, located at 1111 East 11th Street, started in 2012 — not only to raise awareness about human trafficking in Houston, but also to help survivors start over. Development and Communications Director Julie Jackson said that until 2015, A 2nd Cup occupied what they lovingly referred to as their “incubator� space in next door’s Vineyard Church. There is a director staff of three – Jackson, Executive Director and founder Erica Raggett, and Operations Director Brooke Evans who all operate under the leadership of a board of directors. “While none of us have personally dealt with the direct effects of trafficking, thankfully, we are each connected to the cause in ways where we couldn’t not do anything to help end it,� said Jackson. They do this by selling good coffee and using the proceeds to educate others about the crisis of human trafficking, and to fund programs to help rescue and assist victims. Good coffee is key to the endeavor. “We don’t want to be a nonprofit coffee shop that wants your support for a worthy cause and serves you a low quality product in the meantime,� said Jackson. “So the quality of our coffee is very important to us.� They partner with Boomtown Coffee, a small batch coffee roaster in Houston, who Jackson affectionately calls ‘coffee nerds.’ “Boomtown has been so great to us from the very beginning,� said Jackson, who notes that they have seasonal
offerings from other local roasters, too, most commonly in their Split Shot program where 50 percent of the sales go to a specific anti-trafficking organization. The education aspect comes in from their baristas who are trained to answer questions and bring awareness to new customers. “We believe that sometimes the first step to acknowledging that slavery still exists in the form of trafficking is to speak about it — to have that conversation,� said Jackson. “We also believe that our shop space is one of our greatest resources.� The wall along the west side of the shop is marked by statistics and a call-to-action to mobilize the community. “We don’t want to just shock people about the issue, but we do want them to be unsettled and aware that it will take every one of us to end human trafficking both locally and globally,� said Jackson. A 2nd Cup partners with many anti-trafficking organizations including Redeemed Ministries, Homes of Hope, Freedom Place, Love146, Free the Captives, The Landing, Children at Risk, the YMCA, Elijah Rising, United Against Human Trafficking, and Rescue Houston. “We are always open to new partnerships with anti-trafficking efforts in order to maximize everyone’s efforts in the same fight,� said Jackson. Jackson says that 2nd Cup has recently established their first aftercare solution — a five month culinary training program. “[It is] a long-term solution to assist survivors of human trafficking to have a viable career in the culinary or hospitality field,� she said. “Combining our expertise with the culinary field and the anti-trafficking community, we believe that this program will fill a need in our community.� The pilot program will start in May.
Contributed photos On the left, one of A 2nd Cup’s baristas, Katie Burke, making her favorite chai. Above, a Common Meal from Paper Co. Cafe, a balanced and nutritional meal that is offered to all to pay full price or pay what you can.
Stop in for a cup of joe, or visit them at 1111 E 11th Street. Paper Co: A CafĂŠ for All Another combination cafĂŠ and non-profit enterprise is Paper Co CafĂŠ at 1100 Elder St. which is an offshoot of Ecclesia Church. The profits from Paper Co. provide for Houston’s homeless. The organizational structure is similar to A 2nd Cup with a leadership team that serves under an executive board. Manager Jessi Johnson said that her journey to Paper Co. began when she read The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, a book that talks about putting love into action. Johnson did the “mission yearâ€? program at Ecclesia in 2013, and then worked at Taft Street Coffee, which is what Paper Co. was called before it and Ecclesia moved to Elder Street, near Washington Avenue. The cafĂŠ is clean and mod-
ern looking, with many professionals working away on laptops. Homeless Houstonians, or those in transitional housing, are also the clientele. “We don’t treat the cafĂŠ seating like real estate,â€? said Johnson, who noted that people are not booted from their perch to make way for the next paying customer. She also explains that every day there is something called the Common Meal served at Paper Co. “It’s a balanced, nutritional meal,â€? said Johnson. “Last week it was pork belly tacos and apples.â€? The Common Meal is offered on a sliding scale and up to 40 a day are sold. Those who can are asked to pay the suggested price or more so that that a homeless customer can have the same meal for as little as a dollar. “Everyone deserves to sit down and be served a meal,â€? Johnson said. There are also events like the monthly Harmony House
Mueva Coffee, which comes via direct trade with the farmers from the Matagalpa Highlands of Nicaragua. Johnson’s favorite Paper Co. java offering is the Flat White, with its ideal espresso to milk ratio. For more on Paper Co see www.papercohouston.com.
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Locals help locals with farmer’s markets By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com Walking through the array of vendors at a farmers market is the perfect way to spend the morning on any given weekend. With seasonal fruits and veggies always available and friendly faces behind the tables, farmers markets make grocery shopping fun—especially because some of the best are close to home. Grocery stores sell items marked organic, natural, cage-free, but with the rules forever changing on what food companies can decide to exclude on the label, it’s nice to go to a farmers market and meet someone who can actually answer questions or address concerns. The fact that they are local is the cherry on top of a community coming together to support one another. Luckily, The Leader area has a few farmers markets that offer delicious produce and more. A favorite market in the community is Canino Produce Co., which will still be included in the renovation of the property soon to be called Houston’s Farmers Market. Canino’s, open everyday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., first opened in 1958 on Airline Dr. and over the years grew so large the location now sits on over 20,000 square feet. David Pokorny said on a post in the Oak Forest Facebook page that his favorite market was, “Canino’s on Airline. Clean with friendly people and family owned since the 60’s. They have just about anything you could want produce wise.� He wasn’t alone in his appreciation for the market, as many others chimed in saying that they’ve gone to Canino’s for years. However, with new property owners and a total remodel of the facility, there’s a worry that the market just
BBQ, coming up April 21, where Paper Co. and Ecclesia host neighbors from the nearby Harmony House. Johnson said that although the tucked away location of the cafe is a challenge, they have a “good foothold� and get a lot of business from employees at the nearby permit center, as well as from church members. Their coffee is courtesy of
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Dining Out fOr Life 2018
Photo by Zarah Parker Shown here is the popular Canino Produce Co., whose property is being remodeled into Houston’s Farmers Market off Airline Dr. It is just one of many local farmer’s markets in hte neighborhood
won’t be the same. “Love Caninos, but with the remodeling coming up it will be a totally different place. Should be nice with the new shops and live bands but will miss the way it is now,� said Rosey Trevino Delgado. From produce vendors offering the freshest vegetables and fruits to a spice company, many new merchants will be added to the market, totaling sixteen. With a restaurant, designated play area for kids, and better parking, the new renovated property will sure to still be favored after it debuts, especially since the new owners want to keep as much of the original feel as possible. For years the Heights Epicurean Farmers Market on Heights Boulevard has been dedicated to bringing the best to the community every first Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The market supports all things handmade, homemade, and locally grown, making it both a farmers and artisan market. The market vendors sell a wide variety of supplies, from seasonal fresh produce, mirco
greens and herbs, to dog biscuits, jams and macrons. Also available are gluten-free baked goods, Texas BBQ, preserves, hand-sewn items, pies, soaps, skin care products, home cleaning remedies, and much more. The block party style of the Epicurean market and the fun activities for kids, like face painting, makes this a great way to involve the whole family and connect with the other locals. It becomes a community within a community. Another nearby market is tucked away and has been hailed the gem of the neighborhood. The Farm Stand at Petrol Station, also known as Mickey’s Farm Stand, has a short list of vendors, but that works in its favor. Each vendor is unique and recognized by market goers. “The Farm Stand at Petrol Stations,� said Brenda Thompson about her favorite market. “[because] local, fresh, and the best tacos!� Megan Richard echoed Thompson’s opinion on the great tacos and added that she also loved the Farm Stand for the hot coffee and baby goats that often make appear-
ances. The Farm Stand offers fresh eggs, artisan breads, honey, handmade soap and more every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. What makes this market so great is the location—it’s off Wakefield behind the Petrol Station, making it right in the middle of the neighborhood. It’s easy to miss it and drive by, so look for the canopies. Lastly, Eleanora’s Market sets up every Saturday in the parking lot of Cavatore’s. It’s a relatively new market, not yet a year old, but quickly gained popularity because of the great list of locally sourced vendors and artisans. Eleanora’s Market is committed to offering high-quality produce, cheeses, meats, baked goods, art, and more - rain or shine. With the wide range of vendors, they have something for everyone and it’s small enough not to feel overwhelming. The vendors are great locals who will answer any questions about the products without hesitation, and they’ll help every shopper find what’s best for them.
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