A career in coffee wasn’t what Kerri Gaffett planned as she sailed around the world with her then-husband and young children, sampling different coffees as they dropped anchor in various locations. But her sailing life led to a longtime friendship with a woman who later launched a coffee business in the British Virgin Islands.
When the islands were heavily damaged in a hurricane three years ago, Gaffett helped her friend sell her coffee from her base on Block Island.
The effort eventually prompted her friend to suggest Gaffett start her own coffee business.
“And that’s where the idea started for me,” said Gaffett, a psychotherapist who has her practice in North Kingstown.
This year she started Block Island Coffee, sourcing beans from Mexico that are certified by the Rain Forest Alliance as being socially responsible and sustainably grown and harvested. Gaffett has partnered with a coffee roaster in Connecticut that roasts and bags her coffees. She distributes them to several independent markets, including the Block Island Grocery, Belmont Market in South Kingstown and A-Market in Newport.
The flavors, including Mohegan Bluff Medium Roast and Black Rock Dark Roast, are making a name for the island and Gaffett.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.