Have you been to the farm recently? Notice anything new? That’s the beginning of Campesino Café, our zero-waste, farm-to-table food and beverage model coming to the farm this fall!
We’re so excited to see the construction of Campesino progress, and we’re even more excited to be working with our talented culinary team to develop the menu and create a delicious, deeply nourishing offering for our community.
To give you a better sense of what Campesino will be, and the incredible team behind it, we spoke with Campesino’s front-of-house manager and curator of the café’s coffee program, Robby Sunday. We spoke with Robby about everything from our partnership with Steady State Roasting to the little details that communicate welcome to our guests.
Read our conversation with Robby below, and click here to contribute to our crowdfunding campaign and help bring our vision of Campesino to life.
Describe some of your day-to-day duties in your role. What do you enjoy most? What do you find most challenging?
As FOH Manager my day to day duties include keeping my team current on any needs that could impact a guest’s experience at The Ecology Center. I love introducing a strong but subtle element of hospitality in small gestures like providing chilled water to guests or setting the table with beautiful flowers from the field.
How do you see yourself and your work contributing to The Ecology Center’s mission of creating an abundant future for all?
I believe the hospitality that is extended to guests is just as important as the care demonstrated between those of us who work together to make The Ecology Center function. Caring for all people, whether they’re coworkers, volunteers or members of our community can enforce a culture of inclusion and create a safe place for people to be themselves.
What purpose will Campesino serve within The Ecology Center village?
Campesino serves as the voice, the presentation that says, “This isn’t just a farm, this isn’t just a cafe, it’s an expression about how the best things in life can often be the most simple and uncomplicated.”
What can you tell me about the café’s partnership with Steady State Roasting? How did the relationship come about, why did you/the team choose them as our coffee supplier?
The relationship between Campesino and Steady State was born out of a desire for an equal value of craftsmanship and quality. Working with a smaller coffee roaster who has relationships with coffee farmers in different regions allows us to continue our mission of putting producers first while working with the finest quality coffee available.
What is it about coffee that has the power to cultivate discourse and connection?
Coffee has the ability to build community across the board. Not just for those sharing the experience of enjoying it on the farm but from the hands that pick the coffee cherries, to the hands that serve the finished product, no amount of care has been lost and every sip can be appreciated understanding the work that goes into creating the experience.
