January 8, 2018 – Following charges of sexual harassment made against the founder of Four Barrel Coffee, Happy Girl Kitchen in Pacific Grove has dumped the San Francisco roaster saying its coffee “is starting to taste bitter. Real bitter.”
Former employees filed a lawsuit Friday against Four Barrel founder Jeremy Tooker, alleging he sexually assaulted several women, harassed others and created a toxic work environment.
In a letter to Four Barrel also sent to the media, Happy Girl owners Jordan and Todd Champagne wrote:
“After reading the reports of sexual harassment and allegations filed against Jeremy Tooker we started to investigate to uncover the truth. We are living in a different time now spawned by the #MeToo movement and women now have a platform to raise their voices against such abuse.
If this is where Happy Girl Kitchen’s story intersects with the #MeToo movement in 2018 then your time is up! In solidarity with the women who were threatened and abused, we are finding another roaster who fits with our values and beliefs as we once thought you did.”
Jordan Champagne said they were evaluating several local and regional coffee roasters and would make a decision in the next few weeks on which one to serve in their Central Ave. café and shop.
“I am so thankful I live in a world where I get to make the ethical calls,” she told Edible Monterey Bay. “This is how I source everything for Happy Girl, considering the ethics to the environment, animals and people.”
Read their full statement below:
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At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
