our coffee

our coffee

We’re a Melbourne-based specialty coffee roaster with a focus on community and the environment. We are passionate about sourcing & roasting some of the best coffees from around the world.

Fresh roasted blends & single origins, big espressos & dreamy filters, and a range of specialty capsules – we’ve got you covered. All ethically & sustainably sourced, so you can feel good knowing the people at the heart of producing your daily brew are being looked after too.

our blends.

We have 4 different blends to suit any flavour preference…

Ultimate Wingman – a bold, full-bodied coffee with notes of caramel, dark choc, and hazelnut.

Original Gangsta – an easy-drinking, versatile blend that tastes just like drinking a fruit ‘n’ nut choccy bar.

Eco Warrior – an organic, med-light roast with notes of choc orange, sweet spice, berries & warm hugs. It has a direct impact at origin through environmental & animal conservation, as well as at home with links to local charities. 

The Real MVP – a lighter-style, fruitier blend that changes seasonally. It’s superb through milk, but truly shines as an espresso.

Can’t choose? Take our quick quiz to find your perfect match!

Meet The Squad
new retail boxes

microlots.

For the adventurous, we have a range of rotating single origins & microlots. These are 85+ coffees that are typically sourced from a single farm, lot, or in countries where farms have smaller yields, we’ll source from the washing station where the coffees are processed.

At any given time, we have a minimum of two origins roasted for Espresso & two for Filter for you to choose from. Available in 250g (retail) & 500g bags.

For our Singles program, we love to source lots that allow the producers to shine, showcasing interesting varietals, processing methods, and techniques that bring out the best in each coffee.

Check out our current lineup here: Singles

specialty beans.

We source specialty grade arabica beans across our entire operation. ‘Specialty’ refers to the grading quality of the green coffee. To be classified as specialty, a coffee needs to receive an independent cup score of 80 and above.

While the majority of coffees that make up our blends are 84+ and could easily make a great single origin, don’t be surprised if you see an 88+ microlot in our standard rotation.

Anything over 90 is quite rare & typically an auction coffee. For context, the Elida Gesha from that episode of ‘Billions’ scored 95.25 & sold for US$1029 per pound (almost $3500 per kg!)

Quality is obviously super important, but the cupping score is just one part of the sourcing equation…

Why Coffee Prices Matter | Supporting Farmers, Roasters, Cafes & You
Why Coffee Prices Matter | Supporting Farmers, Roasters, Cafes & You / Behind the Beans | The Real Cost of Coffee and What Goes Into Your Cup

from the source.

It’s extremely important to us that the farmer is able to earn a living wage & receives the best possible price for their coffee. We don’t negotiate the price down, we accept the price set by the farm.

We also aim for direct relationships whenever we can (especially for our blend coffees), but accept this is not always going to be possible (or best from an environmental standpoint). Where we can’t source direct from the farm, we work with reputable brokers who have ongoing relationships at the origin.

On top of this, we’re also ensuring transparency – down to the farm or washing station, sustainable farming practices & that all workers are treated well.

quality control.

Our quality control processes are second to none. The Roasting & QC team are constantly cupping and assessing the quality of our coffees at every stage. They cup samples before & after we buy a coffee and again once it’s landed at our roastery.

The team are using the latest technology to track colour, water activity, moisture & density throughout the life of the coffee.

Our coffees are roasted individually to get the very best out of each origin. They’re cupped again afterwards to assess the roast profile then any last minute tweaks are made from there, if needed.

All of this helps us to ensure we’re serving up only the very best, every time.

quality control

We could go on and on about our coffee! If you want to keep reading, hit the blog to nerd out with us. Or you can click below to read our story and what we’re doing for the environment & the people we work alongside.

ABOUT US

Sustainable Coffee Roasters | Locale Coffee | People & Planet - The Specialty Cafe Experience | Why it Costs More (and Why It’s Worth It)

sustainability

people and planet first

At Locale, we’re deeply committed to running our business with integrity, responsibility, and sustainability. We recognise that everything we do relies on the Earth’s natural resources, and we’re dedicated to giving back wherever possible.

This isn’t about greenwashing or virtue signaling – it’s about doing better business.

We’re keenly aware of the environmental and ethical challenges within our industry, and we aim to be a positive force in the coffee community and beyond. Our mission has always been to leave both the coffee industry and the planet in a better state than we found them. This values-driven approach is woven into the fabric of our culture and led from the top.

 

FAIRNESS ACROSS THE COFFEE SUPPLY CHAIN

We care deeply about the people behind every cup of coffee, from farmers to baristas. That’s why we believe in paying fair and equitable prices for the coffees we source. Much like wine, not all coffee is created equal. We’re passionate about investing in top-quality, traceable, and sustainably sourced coffee – ensuring the farmers who grow your daily brew are well-supported.

 

SUSTAINABILITY IN EVERY DECISION

Sustainability is at the heart of every choice we make. For us, purpose and profit aren’t opposing forces – they go hand-in-hand. We continually strive to balance our impact on the planet with the success of the people we work alongside.

 

OUR ACTIONS AND ONGOING COMMITMENT

From our carbon-neutral certification and rigorous sourcing guidelines to our community initiatives, we’re proud to share the steps we’re taking toward a more sustainable future. Explore our key actions below to learn more.

This journey is far from over, and we’re always looking for ways to improve. Check back here for updates on our progress or reach out with your suggestions – we’d love to hear from you.

Community Initiatives

We donate 5% of sales from Eco Warrior beans & merch back to the community. We'd love to introduce you to the organisations we support...

our packaging

our packaging

As we celebrate ten years of Locale, we’re proud to roll out a new generation of packaging that reflects everything we’ve learnt along the way.

Header Image - Sustainability Journey

Our Sustainability Journey

An update on our ongoing commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmental responsibility.

we’re carbon neutral

Our roastery is solar powered & we’re proud to be a certified carbon neutral business…we even have the fancy certificate to prove it!

community initiatives

orangutan coffee project

The Orangutan Coffee Project is a 360-degree program that connects rainforest & wildlife conservation with sustainable, organic coffee cultivation.

ethical sourcing

Our in-house guidelines for sourcing green coffee, thoughts on transparency & building ongoing relationships with the farms we buy from.


meet the crew

meet our crew

Our team are an incredibly dedicated bunch of coffee experts & enthusiasts with years of experience throughout all levels of hospo. From baristas to venue owners, sales, marketing, roasting & tech support, we’ve done it all. Our team are united by a deep love of coffee & a passion to create a sustainable future for everyone.

Could one of these legends be your new best friend? Reach out below for more on joining the Locale fam.

josh jackson.

GROUP GENERAL MANAGER

Pace to his mates. He’s the glue here at Locale, holding everything together since the very beginning. His role has expanded into a Group GM role covering both Locale & Genovese businesses, as well as running Loveramics & working closely with the roasting crew in developing Locale’s coffee program.

He’s worked in the hospo industry his entire working career – from cheffing through to sales & management roles & everything in between.

Pace steers the ship here & loves a cheeky filter coffee while he’s doing it.

kristin jackson.

MARKETING MANAGER

KJ has worked in Sales & Marketing roles across a range of industries including food, wine & coffee. She’s been with Locale from the early days & has been the creative force behind the Locale brand since 2020.

KJ is super passionate about the environment & the ability for businesses to create positive change, driving Locale’s sustainable & community-based initiatives.

She starts the day with an oat flatty & prefers a batch brew in the arvo.

paul solway.

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Beginning his coffee journey as a barista at a small cafe, Pauly realised he had a deep love for coffee & the industry, a drive to help people succeed and the ability to make you buy whatever he’s selling!

He’s been such an integral part of Locale since the very beginning & the main reason behind the success we’ve seen in WA.

Now managing the sales team nationally & showing mad love for the cold brew, Pauly is the best friend you never knew you needed.

rach commander.

WA STATE MANAGER

Since scoring her first coffee gig at 15, Rach knew that she wanted to learn everything there was to know about creating the perfect cup. After a good 12 years, both in the Tassie and Melbs coffee scene, including owning her own cafe, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our sales team.

A woman of many talents, Rach has some mad barber skills & has even danced professionally as a go-go girl! Her favourite thing about coffee is the people – a perfect fit for Locale.

Rach’s go-to coffee order is a soy flatty – “a hug in a mug”.

will krutop.

VIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

With 7 years in the coffee game, Will brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the machine. His journey started at The Bean Smuggler – a tiny, community-driven spot that pumped out 70kg a week. Since then, he’s worn many hats, from managing the Industry Beans flagship to working with large-scale roasters.

Will’s favourite part of the gig is the people. Whether it’s helping specialty cafes bring their vision to life, or supporting high-volume venues, Will thrives on connection.

His go-to brew? A strong flat white, of course.

damien mancktelow.

QLD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Damien’s been in the coffee game for 8 years, getting his start at Gloria Jean’s before finding his way deeper into the world of specialty coffee. Since then, he’s built a real love for the industry – from the hustle of a pumping cafe to the layers of knowledge and flavour that come with great coffee.

What he loves most about coffee is the people – the relationships, the depth, and the energy of the industry. Nothing beats pulling shots and slinging milk when a cafe is absolutely humming.

His go-to? Filter first thing in the morning, followed closely by a flat white.

shinji shimoyama.

NSW CUSTOMER SUPPORT

While working a gap-filler role at a cafe inside The Gallery of NSW, Shinji got his chance to live out his coffee dream when the head barista called in sick. He grabbed it with both hands & has been brewing ever since.

Working in the coffee industry for 15+ years now, Shinji loves that there’s always new coffees & exciting flavours coming from all over the world, and getting to share his passion with as many people as possible.

When it comes to his go-to order, it’s a close call between an espresso or filter – sometimes both!

These superstars are backed up by an awesome roasting crew, tech & training support staff, as well as a killer back-of-house team working out of Coburg in VIC.

Hit the button below to get in touch…we always love a chat! Or for more on wholesale/cafe supply, head over to our wholesale page.

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