Raleigh Story: Larry's Beans

Raleigh Story Project #2: Larry's Beans

There are sooo many reasons to love Larry's Beans.  I personally am not a coffee drinker but David is and many of our  good friends are.  I had heard so many amazing things about what Larry's Beans does in and through their business practices.  They choose to fairly trade with their farmers- they visit the farms and care not only about how the beans are grown but also that the farmers growing them are taken care of.  They are interested in best business practices for the growers and the environment around the growing.

I am SUPER impressed with the ways they have "gone green" with their facility.  From natural daylighting completely illuminating their buildings (not to mention the reflective flooring installed to make good use of that light), to collecting and reusing rainwater, to sustainable packaging and MORE-- how could you not be impressed with all the ideas this company has implemented to save money, energy and natural resources.  I am so impressed.  This might sound cheesy but this is truly a company that I feel really good about supporting.

Stop everything and start buying Larry's Beans.

You might have seen the awesome Larry's Bean bus delivering products around town.  This bus runs on veggie fuel collected from local restaurants and it straight up awesome.

Something I had never noticed about the bus?  The mural by a Raleigh artist on the ceiling!

Larry's Beans is the only biodiesel station in Raleigh.

Lovely area between their two buildings.

These cells on the roof help warm the building and water if I remember correctly.

The view of the administrative offices from the porch area...

... and then the offices can become part of the open air area as well!

As soon as I arrived I was offered a cup of coffee.  Everyone was drinking coffee.  You know I had to go with the vintage pyrex mug :)  As I mentioned before, I am not really a coffee drinker but I really enjoyed the coffee I had before getting started with the shoot.

Around the two buildings there are all these awesome reminders of the sustainable values that the facility is upholding and the ways that individuals working or visiting there can play a part in that.

There is a clerestory installed to let in tons of amazing light.  It is very rare that this building requires light from an electric source.

The roasting process...

Packaging and labeling (to the sounds of some great music, might I add).

I encourage you to read more about Larry's story and all the ways this company is making their world and their farmer's world better.  Keep an eye out for their coffee at locations around Raleigh (who serve it and sell their packaged beans) and choose to support this amazing business!