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Boise Co-op unveils new zero-emission coffee roaster

Co-op leaders say they are first retail grocer in the nation to feature the new technology.

BOISE, Idaho — You could say they've been "green" since the beginning, but the Boise Co-op is now even greener, offering a new coffee roaster that's being hailed as the "the future of roasting."

The Bellwether Roaster was created in Berkeley, California and company officials say it creates zero emissions. So it helps you start your day off on the right foot, while limiting the size of your carbon footprint.

The eco-friendly roaster was unveiled Wednesday morning. Co-op leaders say it is the first retail grocer in the nation to feature the technology.

"So it's a zero-emission roasting format," said Boise Co-op CEO Michelle Anderson. "Typically in the world of coffee roasting, coffee is roasted in warehouses. And it's gas-powered and there's quite a bit of emissions as a result of coffee roasting."

The Bellwether Roaster allows personal roast profiles to be developed, and the Co-op has developed three roasts – a single-origin Rwanda, a blend called Stand Up, and an espresso blend - that it will feature alongside its current local coffee offerings.

Another cool feature of the roaster: It allows customers to tip the farmers who harvest the coffee beans. 25 cents will also go back to those farmers for every pound of coffee roasted at the Co-op.

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