“Coffee People for Palestine”: A New Initiative to Support Gaza
In an effort to confront the coffee industry’s ongoing silence over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a new fundraiser, Coffee People for Palestine, has been launched, calling on coffee businesses and professionals to take a stand and offer tangible support.
David Lalonde, co-founder of Canadian coffee company Rabbit Hole Roasters, initiated the fundraiser on April 14, aiming not only to raise money for humanitarian relief but also to challenge the industry’s ethical posturing. The campaign supports The Sameer Project, a Palestinian-led mutual aid organization providing critical assistance on the ground in Gaza. As of now, the initiative has raised over $2,500, with donations open until May 15.
“The coffee industry often claims a moral high ground,” Lalonde said. “We advocate for sustainability, fair pay, and better sourcing practices, yet remain silent on one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. This fundraiser is a wake-up call.”
The Sameer Project, based in London and founded by four Palestinians in the diaspora, works closely with teams in Gaza to deliver food, water, medical supplies, and direct financial support to displaced families. Their work has been vital as Gaza faces catastrophic conditions, with severe restrictions on aid and widespread famine warnings issued by international organizations.
Collaborating with coffee companies such as Heart Roasters, Tabeeb Roasters, and community-driven groups like Getchusomegear and Stay Bloomin, Lalonde emphasized the importance of collective action. “I wanted to show that it’s not just me—that there are many in the coffee community who care deeply,” he said.
The fundraiser also features a cultural raffle for donors, offering Palestinian olive oil, keffiyehs, embroidery art, and copies of Ilan Pappe’s A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict. Lalonde hopes that celebrating Palestinian culture will encourage deeper engagement with the cause.
For many, the industry’s current response contrasts sharply with its previous mobilization for Ukraine in 2022, when major coffee organizations such as the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) openly supported Ukrainian communities and barred Russian participation from global events. In the case of Gaza, however, the industry’s silence has been conspicuous.
“The discrepancy is staggering,” Lalonde noted. “We know the coffee community can come together. We’ve seen it before. So what’s the excuse now?”
Tahani Hassan, co-owner of Tabeeb Roasters, expressed cautious optimism about the impact of the fundraiser. “While the response has been encouraging, there’s still a broader reluctance to take decisive action,” she said. “We hope this effort empowers more people to use their voices.”
Running through May 15, which marks Nakba Day—the commemoration of the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948—the fundraiser underscores the enduring nature of the conflict and the urgent need for international solidarity.
As Gaza faces extreme shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, and as hospitals continue to be destroyed or rendered inoperable, projects like the Sameer Project have become essential lifelines for those trapped in the besieged territory.
Lalonde and his collaborators stress that meaningful change requires sustained action beyond social media posts and public statements. “True solidarity costs something,” Lalonde said, quoting activist and author Cole Arthur Riley. “We have to move beyond talking a good game. It’s time to match our words with deeds.”
Through initiatives like Coffee People for Palestine, organizers hope to set a precedent for how the specialty coffee community—and other industries—can mobilize in times of global crisis, not only for Gaza but for any community in need.
