Where Is Community Coffee Made? Inside the Louisiana Roastery

Ever wondered where that rich, smooth cup of Community Coffee you enjoy actually begins its journey? For many, especially across the Southern US, Community Coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a familiar morning ritual, a taste of home, and a brand steeped in Louisiana tradition. Yet, despite its widespread popularity, pinpointing exactly where this iconic coffee is made can be a bit fuzzy. Is it Baton Rouge, where the company started, or somewhere else entirely?

Community Coffee is primarily roasted and manufactured at its dedicated facility in Port Allen, Louisiana, just across the Mississippi River from its headquarters in Baton Rouge. This family-owned company, founded in 1919, uses 100% select Arabica beans for its renowned coffee blends.

Understanding the “where” behind Community Coffee unlocks a deeper appreciation for its century-long heritage and commitment to quality. This deep dive will trace the coffee’s path from bean to bag, clarifying the roles of its key Louisiana locations, exploring the types of beans used, uncovering its rich history, and explaining where you can find your favorite blend. Get ready to discover the heart of America’s #1 family-owned retail coffee brand.

Key Facts:
* Founded: Community Coffee was established in 1919 by Norman “Cap” Saurage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
* Family-Owned Leadership: It remains the #1 largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the United States, currently led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Saurage family.
* Primary Production Hub: The main roasting, manufacturing, and packaging operations occur at their facility in Port Allen, Louisiana.
* Bean Selection: Community Coffee exclusively uses 100% select Arabica coffee beans known for their quality and flavor profile.
* Market Dominance (Historical): As of 2005, the company held significant market share, controlling 52% in South Louisiana and 72% in Baton Rouge.

What is Community Coffee and Why Is It So Popular?

Community Coffee is a renowned, family-owned coffee brand founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1919. Known for its deep Louisiana roots and high-quality roasts, it has grown into the #1 family-owned retail coffee brand in the United States, cherished for generations. Its popularity stems from a blend of rich history, consistent quality, and a strong connection to the communities it serves, particularly in Louisiana and the broader Southeastern US.

The brand resonates deeply with consumers who value tradition, family ownership, and a dependably smooth coffee experience. For over a century, Community Coffee has been a staple in homes, restaurants, and offices, fostering a loyal following that appreciates its commitment to quality from bean to cup. This loyalty is built not just on the coffee itself, but on the brand’s identity as a Louisiana institution.

From its humble beginnings in a Baton Rouge grocery store to its current status as a major national player, Community Coffee has maintained its focus on delivering expertly roasted coffee. It represents a taste of Louisiana culture, shared across breakfast tables and coffee breaks, making it much more than just a caffeine source – it’s part of the fabric of the community.

The Rich History: From 1919 to Today

Community Coffee’s story begins over 100 years ago in 1919. Founder Norman “Cap” Saurage started experimenting with coffee blends in the back of his full-service grocery store in downtown Baton Rouge. He aimed to create a richer, smoother coffee blend for his local community. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Demand grew so rapidly that by 1923, Cap moved his coffee production out of the store and into a converted barn. Just a year later, in 1924, he decided to leave the grocery business altogether to focus solely on roasting and perfecting his “Community” coffee, named to honor his local patrons. This marked the official beginning of the Community Coffee Company we know today. Early roasting milestones included advancements that cemented the brand’s reputation for quality, leading to expansions like the crucial Port Allen plant established in the 1970s to handle increased demand and streamline operations.

More Than Just Coffee: A Louisiana Cultural Icon

In Louisiana, Community Coffee isn’t just another brand on the shelf; it’s deeply woven into the state’s cultural identity. It’s the coffee many Louisianans grew up with, served at family gatherings, local diners, and community events. This strong regional connection evokes a sense of home and tradition for countless residents.

The brand name itself, “Community,” reflects its origins and enduring mission – to serve and be part of the local community. This connection fosters immense brand loyalty, often passed down through generations. Whether paired with beignets in New Orleans or enjoyed during a break from Mardi Gras festivities, Community Coffee is intrinsically linked to the Louisiana way of life, making it a true cultural icon beyond its role as a beverage.

Where Exactly Is Community Coffee Made?

Community Coffee is primarily made at its dedicated roasting and manufacturing plant located in Port Allen, Louisiana. While the company’s headquarters remain in its founding city of Baton Rouge, the main production facility sits just across the Mississippi River in Port Allen. This strategic location handles the crucial processes of roasting, grinding, manufacturing, and packaging their wide array of coffee products.

The decision to centralize production in Port Allen allows for efficient operations, particularly regarding the intake of green coffee beans shipped through nearby ports like New Orleans and Houston. This ensures quality control and consistency across all their blends, from the classic Signature Blend to their darker roasts.

So, while Baton Rouge is the administrative heart, Port Allen is the operational engine where the magic of transforming carefully selected beans into the familiar Community Coffee products happens day in and day out.

The Heart of Production: The Port Allen Roastery

The primary Community Coffee roasting and manufacturing operations occur at their plant in Port Allen, Louisiana. This state-of-the-art facility, established across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge in the 1970s, serves as the central hub for transforming green coffee beans into the finished products enjoyed nationwide. Its location was strategically chosen for efficiency, particularly its proximity to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, facilitating the smooth import and handling of coffee beans.

Inside the Port Allen plant, Community Coffee employs advanced roasting techniques and quality control measures. Here, the carefully selected Arabica beans are roasted to perfection, ground according to specific requirements, and packaged for distribution. This facility represents a significant investment in maintaining the quality and consistency that the brand is known for, ensuring every bag meets their high standards.

Baton Rouge Headquarters vs. Port Allen Plant: What’s the Difference?

While geographically close, the Baton Rouge and Port Allen locations serve distinct functions for Community Coffee. Baton Rouge hosts the company’s corporate headquarters, managing administrative, marketing, sales, and strategic operations. It’s the nerve center where business decisions are made and the brand’s overall direction is charted. This is the original home base, reflecting the company’s deep roots in the city where it was founded in 1919.

In contrast, the Port Allen facility is the primary production center. This is where the physical work of coffee creation takes place – the receiving of green coffee beans, the intricate roasting process, grinding, blending, and packaging. While Baton Rouge handles the business side, Port Allen focuses entirely on the manufacturing and logistical aspects of getting the coffee ready for consumers. Think of Baton Rouge as the brain and Port Allen as the hands of the operation.

What Kind of Coffee Beans Does Community Coffee Use?

Community Coffee exclusively uses 100% select Arabica coffee beans for all its coffee blends. This choice underscores their commitment to quality, as Arabica beans are widely regarded for their superior flavor, aromatic qualities, and lower acidity compared to Robusta beans. The company sources these high-quality beans from various coffee-growing regions around the world, including notable origins like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, importing them through ports in New Orleans and Houston.

The focus on 100% Arabica ensures a consistently smooth and satisfying taste across their product line. While specific single-origin details might vary or be proprietary for certain blends, the foundational commitment to using only select Arabica beans remains constant. This dedication to bean quality is a cornerstone of the Community Coffee brand promise.

Key Takeaway: Community Coffee’s commitment to quality starts with the bean. By using only 100% select Arabica beans, they ensure a smooth, aromatic, and flavorful cup every time, forming the foundation of their beloved blends.

Exploring the Beans: 100% Select Arabica

The term “100% select Arabica” signifies Community Coffee’s dedication to using high-quality Arabica beans exclusively. Arabica beans are known for their complex flavor profiles, pleasant acidity, and rich aroma, making them the preferred choice for premium coffee worldwide. The “select” designation implies a careful sourcing process, ensuring that only beans meeting specific quality standards make it into their blends.

While specific farm or regional details aren’t always disclosed for every blend, the commitment to Arabica means consumers can expect a certain level of smoothness and nuanced flavor. This contrasts with blends that might incorporate Robusta beans, which typically have a harsher taste and higher caffeine content. Community Coffee’s focus on pure Arabica aligns with its positioning as a premium, yet accessible, coffee brand.

Understanding the Roasting Technique

Community Coffee employs in-house roasting techniques at their Port Allen facility to develop the distinct flavors of their various coffee blends. They offer a spectrum of roast levels, catering to diverse palates, typically ranging from Medium Roast to Dark Roast and Extra-Dark Roast. This controlled roasting process is crucial for unlocking the potential of the Arabica beans and achieving the desired taste profile for each specific product.

Historically, the company has embraced innovation in roasting, though specific modern techniques are often proprietary. They skillfully manage time and temperature to highlight different characteristics of the beans – a Medium Roast might offer balanced flavor and acidity, while an Extra-Dark Roast delivers a bold, intense taste with minimal acidity, often preferred for traditional Louisiana-style coffee. This mastery of roasting is key to the brand’s consistent quality and appeal.

Where Can You Find Community Coffee Products?

Community Coffee is widely available nationwide in the United States, primarily through retail grocery stores and online channels. While its deepest roots and highest market concentration are in Louisiana and the Southeastern US, the brand has expanded its distribution significantly. You can typically find their bagged coffee, single-serve pods, and sometimes ready-to-drink beverages in major supermarkets and mass merchandisers across the country.

In addition to retail shelves, the company operates its own online store (communitycoffee.com), allowing consumers anywhere to purchase their products directly and have them shipped. Furthermore, Community Coffee provides coffee services, particularly strong in the New Orleans area, supplying businesses and offices. While dedicated Community Coffee or CC’s Coffee House locations exist (CC’s is a separate entity owned by the family), the primary way most consumers purchase the coffee for home use is through retail or online orders. Specific availability can vary by region, with mentions of presence in markets like Texas and even Los Angeles.

From Louisiana Stores to Nationwide Shelves

Community Coffee has successfully transitioned from a beloved regional Louisiana brand to a nationally recognized name. Its products are staples in grocery stores across Louisiana and Mississippi, but distribution now extends to major retail chains throughout the Southeastern US and beyond. You can find their signature red bags in supermarkets, big-box stores, and convenience stores in states like Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, and increasingly, in other parts of the country.

Alongside this extensive retail presence, their online store offers the full range of products to customers anywhere in the US. This dual approach ensures accessibility whether you live within their traditional stronghold or discovered the brand elsewhere. The journey from local favorite to nationwide availability reflects the brand’s enduring appeal and successful expansion strategy.

Coffee Service and Local Availability

Beyond retail shelves, Community Coffee maintains a strong presence through coffee service programs, especially prominent in the New Orleans metropolitan area and throughout Louisiana. This service provides coffee and related supplies directly to offices, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses, ensuring the brand is available not just at home but also in workplaces and public establishments within its core regions.

For those looking specifically for local availability (“Community Coffee near me”), checking major grocery chains is the first step. In Louisiana, the brand is ubiquitous, found not only in large supermarkets but also in smaller independent stores and many local cafes (though CC’s Coffee House is the official branded chain). Using store locators on retailer websites or the Community Coffee site can help pinpoint specific nearby locations carrying their products.

Who Owns Community Coffee Company Today?

Community Coffee remains a privately held, family-owned company. It is currently led by the fourth generation of the Saurage family, descendants of the founder, Norman “Cap” Saurage. Matt Saurage serves as Chairman, while David Saurage holds the position of President and CEO, continuing the family’s legacy and commitment to the business started in 1919.

This continuous family ownership is a defining characteristic of the brand and a key part of its identity as the #1 family-owned retail coffee brand in the United States. Unlike many large corporations, Community Coffee has resisted outside acquisition, maintaining control within the Saurage family and preserving its long-standing values and connection to its Louisiana roots. The headquarters remain firmly planted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Tip: The fact that Community Coffee is still family-owned after more than a century speaks volumes about their commitment to tradition, quality, and the community values instilled by founder Cap Saurage.

FAQs About Where Community Coffee is Made

Where is the main Community Coffee plant located?

The main Community Coffee roasting, manufacturing, and packaging plant is located in Port Allen, Louisiana, just across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge.

Is Community Coffee roasted in Baton Rouge?

No, while the company headquarters are in Baton Rouge, the primary roasting operations take place at the dedicated facility in Port Allen, Louisiana.

Where does Community Coffee get its coffee beans from?

Community Coffee sources its 100% select Arabica beans from various coffee-growing regions worldwide, including countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. They import these beans through ports such as New Orleans and Houston.

Is Community Coffee only made in Louisiana?

Yes, the vast majority, if not all, of Community Coffee’s roasting and manufacturing occurs at their plant in Port Allen, Louisiana. While distributed nationally, the production itself is centralized in Louisiana.

Can I visit the Community Coffee roasting facility in Port Allen?

Community Coffee does not typically offer public tours of its Port Allen roasting facility due to safety and operational protocols. It is primarily an industrial manufacturing site.

Who currently owns the Community Coffee company?

Community Coffee is still owned and operated by the Saurage family, descendants of the founder Cap Saurage. It remains the #1 family-owned retail coffee brand in the US.

What makes the Port Allen location ideal for coffee production?

The Port Allen location is strategically advantageous due to its proximity to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, facilitating efficient importation of green coffee beans, and its space for large-scale roasting and packaging operations near the company’s Baton Rouge headquarters.

Does Community Coffee manufacture other products besides coffee?

While coffee is their primary focus (including bagged, single-serve, and ready-to-drink), Community Coffee also offers a selection of teas and various merchandise through their website and retail channels.

How long has Community Coffee been roasting in Port Allen?

Community Coffee established its Port Allen roasting and manufacturing facility in the 1970s to accommodate growth and streamline production processes.

Is Community Coffee made in Texas or Los Angeles?

No, Community Coffee is not manufactured in Texas or Los Angeles. While the products are sold in retail locations in these areas, the coffee itself is roasted and packaged exclusively in Port Allen, Louisiana.

Summary: The Heart of Community Coffee Production

In summary, the journey of your favorite Community Coffee blend centers around Louisiana:

• Primary Production: The core roasting, grinding, and packaging happens at the dedicated facility in Port Allen, Louisiana.
• Headquarters: Corporate operations, strategy, and administration are managed from the headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Bean Quality: Only 100% select Arabica beans, sourced globally, are used.
• Ownership: The company proudly remains family-owned by the descendants of founder Cap Saurage.
• Legacy: With roots dating back to 1919, it’s a brand built on Louisiana heritage and community connection.

So, the next time you brew a pot of Community Coffee, remember its heart lies in Port Allen, Louisiana, where over a century of family tradition and roasting expertise come together to create that distinctively smooth taste.

Do you have a favorite Community Coffee blend or a memory associated with the brand? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!