Early in the process of establishing their new coffee business, Maggie Iannuzzi and her husband Bill needed to address two practical problems. They had found a property where they could set up shop, but they were concerned that the smoke and odor from roasting the coffee could disturb the neighbors. They also were concerned about the environmental impact of their new business, since importing and roasting coffee beans requires significant energy. Fortunately, they found solutions to both problems when they discovered zero-emissions roasting equipment and later learned of the USDA REAP program. Founded in 2021, Precipice Coffee now has a year-round home base in Ellsworth and a seasonal location on nearby Mount Desert Island serving their zero-emissions roasted coffee and baked goods.

When planning their new business in Ellsworth, Maggie reached out to the local code enforcement official for guidance. He mentioned that smoke from another coffee roaster in town had generated complaints from neighbors. Since their property was also in a residential area, Maggie dove into researching their options. She learned that a new line of commercial coffee roasting equipment had been launched just a year before that would remove particulates and VOCs for zero-emission roasting. The new roasting process also utilizes electricity rather than natural gas, reducing the carbon footprint of the process by about 90%. 

Since Bill already had experience roasting coffee, they decided to take a risk and try the brand-new process, first leasing a Bellwether Coffee roaster and then purchasing their own in July 2023. Their foray into innovation has been a success, and they love their zero-emissions roaster. Says Maggie, “There are so many unknowns in the coffee business, and there is a big environmental impact in consuming coffee since it cannot be domestically grown. There are only a few elements you can control.” Utilizing zero-emissions roasting equipment freed them from fossil fuels and meant there would be no smoke or fumes to disturb their neighbors or disrupt the environment.

However, their cutting-edge equipment still required a significant amount of power to operate, and their electric bills were “immense.” Soon they turned to Belfast-based SolarLogix LLC, a beneficial electrification company. The small shop where Maggie and Bill roast the coffee has good sun exposure, fortunately, and the SolarLogix team devised a plan to cover the rooftop with solar panels. They also helped the business owners apply for a USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program grant. Together they were able to secure a $9600 grant that paid for almost half of the project cost, with nonprofit CEI also providing financing. The 11kW system they installed in 2023 now supplies 100% of the business’s energy needs. 

With its seasonal Otter Creek shop located in the heart of Acadia National Park, Precipice Coffee is named for Acadia’s famous Precipice Trail (an area also popular with peregrine falcons). The couple lives in Ellsworth and commutes to the Mount Desert Island shop during the summer. “I don’t take it for granted for a second that we are so fortunate to live so close to the national park,” says Maggie. “Conservation is incredibly important to this area. We love Acadia and love being outdoors, and feel it is vital to do what we can to support local conservation efforts.” 

Precipice Coffee’s customers want to minimize their environmental impact too. The company carefully sources coffee beans that were harvested using sustainable farming practices and traded fairly and utilizes compostable packaging materials. Maggie says that their attention to sustainability and zero emissions definitely has been a “marketing factor.” “Our process provides high-quality beans that are better for the planet with the most consistent flavors on the market. People see that we have a unique production method and try our coffee, then come back for more because they love the flavor!”

About Precipice Coffee:

The company’s Otter Creek store (69 Otter Creek Drive) is open from May through October, offering coffee, beverages, and baked goods crafted with Maine Grains flours and other local ingredients. The company also belongs to the Northeast Harbor, Blue Hill, and Bar Harbor farmers’ markets (check local listings), offering a full array of products weekly. Coffee beans, gift cards, and branded merchandise are available in the online shop. Precipice Coffee also welcomes wholesale clients statewide, and currently services locations from Portland to Skowhegan.