Coffee for a Cause

Scarsdale Teenager Starts Business to Support Guatemalan Farmers and Bring Fresh, Ethical Coffee to Her Community

My name is Charlene Dong and I am currently a junior at Scarsdale High School. During winter break, I had the privilege of traveling to Guatemala, a beautiful country in Central America known for its volcanoes, rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. What I did not realize before my trip was that Guatemala is also home to some of the world’s best coffee beans.

Guatemala lies within the Coffee Belt, a unique geographical region where the finest Arabica beans are grown. During my one-week trip, I toured several coffee farms and learned about the journey beans take from growing and harvesting to roasting and packaging. However, the highlight of my trip was connecting with a non-profit organization that supports small-scale farmers in Guatemala. One of the key regions they work with is Antigua, a city known for the nearby Volcán Fuego. Its volcanic soil, high altitudes, and ideal climate produce beans with bright acidity, sweet floral notes, and a smooth, rich flavor. By connecting farmers directly with buyers and cutting out the middleman, the non-profit helps them earn a fair and dignified income. Witnessing this impact firsthand inspired me to start cdBeanz, a business dedicated not only to bringing the freshest, most authentic Guatemalan coffee to my community but also to contributing to this cause by supporting small-scale farmers.

Since its inception in March, cdBeanz has sold over 150 pounds of coffee. I am a strong believer that the best coffee comes from the quality of beans and its freshness. At cdBeanz, I work closely with a range of growers in Guatemala, supporting over 100 micro-scale coffee producers including women farmers and those cultivating beans around Lake Atitlán. This ensures that cdBeanz can offer a diverse selection while supporting different communities across Guatemala. Furthermore, our coffee beans are roasted and shipped on the same day, and arrive in Scarsdale within two days. Looking ahead, I hope to expand cdBeanz to partner with farms in other countries along the Coffee Belt, including Indonesia and Ethiopia.

The profits I earn from cdBeanz go toward one of my biggest passions: tennis. As a competitive tennis player who grew up training on the courts of Scarsdale, I am eager to give back to my community and offer tennis lessons. All the money goes toward court reservations, permits, balls, and training equipment to make these lessons possible.

Thanks for reading and learning about the journey behind cdBeanz! If you’re interested in supporting cdBeanz, here is the link to my website: