Our Story

Buena Vida Specialty Coffee was founded in 2019 by Gally Mayer, driven by search to find exceptional coffee. This search led to conviction that coffee could—and should—work differently.

 

We started as many do—sourcing organic specialty coffee from Costa Rica’s top farms, believing “organic” to be the gold standard. But working directly with farmers opened our eyes. Most “organic” coffee still depletes soil, ships in plastic, and makes vague impact claims. Regenerative certification demands proof—of soil health, ecosystem balance, and farmer prosperity. We saw how the organic certification process placed heavy financial burdens on producers, while the standards themselves allowed practices like tilling that actually degrade soil health. A singular label, we realized, doesn’t guarantee what matters most: farmer prosperity, soil health, flavor, or our own health.

 

That revelation became our mission: to empower Latin American specialty coffee farms through regenerative agriculture, collaboration, and education—securing the future of coffee itself, which is threatened by climate change and lack of farmer prosperity.

Our Approach

That revelation became our mission: to empower Latin American specialty coffee farms through regenerative agriculture, collaboration, and education—securing the future of coffee itself, which is threatened by climate change and lack of farmer prosperity.

Our entire supply chain is regenerative certified, meaning every pound of coffee we produce contributes directly to soil restoration, biodiversity, and farmer prosperity. By roasting locally in Costa Rica using solar-powered, state-of-the-art Probat electric technology—and partnering with select roasters in the U.S. to ensure freshness—we retain more value at origin and connect consumers directly to the producers and ecosystems behind their coffee.

In an industry where 80% of coffee farmers live on or below the poverty line and earn only 4 cents per cup of coffee on average, we have built a model where farmers earn 2-3 times the specialty coffee market average, and seasonal pickers earn 33% above the national minimum wage. Long-term contracts, peer-to-peer training, and access to low-interest loans provide security and opportunity in a sector where instability has been the norm.

Our Philosophy

Regeneration, for us, is more than a checklist of practices. It is a philosophy grounded in the belief that soil and farmers belong at the center of the coffee story. Regenerative systems reduce erosion caused by agrochemicals, restore nutrients naturally, sequester carbon, foster biodiversity, and ensure that farms remain resilient for generations to come.

But the benefits extend beyond the land: healthier soils support stronger yields, more stable income, and renewed pride in farming. By restoring dignity and prosperity to coffee production, we create the conditions for younger generations to see farming not as a burden but as a future worth pursuing.

Our Impact & Vision

As a women-owned and led company, we’re proud to collaborate with organizations like Les Dames NYC and the Pleiades Network, working alongside government agencies, universities, buyers, cafés, restaurants, and farmers worldwide to build an equitable value chain.

We serve as a platform for collaboration, bringing together farmers, agronomists, industry leaders, and regenerative advocates to share knowledge and accelerate the adoption of regenerative systems. In this way, we amplify farmer voices and position coffee as a driver of both climate resilience and rural prosperity.

Ultimately, Buena Vida is redefining what coffee can mean. We’re proving that exceptional taste and measurable impact can coexist in a single cup—that coffee can serve as a catalyst for healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and a regenerative future. For us, regeneration is not just about the land. It’s about farmers, families, and culture. It’s about ensuring that coffee remains both a heritage and a future.

Meet our Team

People Commited To Doing Things Well