Proud Mary
Self-reported* Self-reported. Proud Mary is a small, independent business that says it buys directly from named farms. That usually means better prices for farmers, but it hasn't published what it pays or any independent checks, and there's no way yet to confirm that pay reaches the farm workers who pick the crop. If a labour problem is confirmed, its grade drops to Poor. Why we allow this
Proud Mary is a small, independent business built around buying directly from named farms, which usually means better prices for farmers. It hasn't published what it pays or any independent checks, so this rests on its own word.
Last researched 8 October 2026
Heading in the right direction. Workers are paid enough to live on, or the company is certified as working towards it, and there are no serious warning signs. One piece is still unproven. What this grade means
Good: 2 of 5
- Pays a living wage
- Respects worker rights
- Full supply chain audit, or made only in countries with rigorous labour standards
- No child or forced labour findings
- Publishes where its products are made (supplier list, named farms or its own factories)
Great: 0 of 3
- Pays beyond a living wage
- Finds and fixes problems, or invests directly in workers' communities
- Actively empowers workers
Needs all Good requirements plus two of these.
Red flags: 1
- Hidden or unaudited supply chain (no certification or documentation, or major production in countries with poor worker rights without independent audits)
Where it's made
| Country | Worker rights | Legal wages | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honduras 25% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Colombia 20% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Brazil 20% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Guatemala 20% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Ecuador 15% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Country conditions from the ITUC Global Rights Index, Global Slavery Index and living wage benchmarks. Certifications and audits can raise a company above its countries' baseline.
Why this grade
- Coffee is on the US Department of Labor child or forced labour list for over a dozen countries, and farm-gate prices often fall below a living income. (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
- Direct trade (self-reported)
- Publishes supplier list
- Built around direct trade with named farms or producers
- Small, independent business built around direct trade with named farms. Graded Almost good on its own word, as it hasn't published prices or independent checks. Any confirmed labour problem would move it to Poor.
Proud Mary is a Melbourne specialty roaster, founded in 2009, that also runs a café in Portland, Oregon. It says it buys coffee direct from origin and has close relationships with farmers, and its coffees are sold under named producers and farms such as Finca Auromar (Panama), Manuel Vallecillo and Fabio Caballero Jr. (Honduras) and El Vergel Estate (Colombia), including Cup of Excellence competition lots. It does not publish the prices it pays farmers or a transparency report, and its coffees carry no Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or similar certification. Several of its origins, including Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras, are on the US Department of Labor list for child labour in coffee.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of Labor goods lists | Found | Coffee from Brazil (child and forced labour), Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras (child labour), all origins used by Proud Mary, is on the 2024 US Department of Labor list. View ↗ |
| Fairtrade (incl. FLOCERT and Fairtrade ANZ) | Not listed | No Fairtrade certification is claimed on its website or products. View ↗ |
| B Corp directory | Not listed | Not shown as a Certified B Corp. View ↗ |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No modern slavery statement found; as a small business it is likely below the A$100m reporting threshold. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Not listed | No allegations involving Proud Mary found on the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. View ↗ |
Sources (6)
- About Us | Proud Mary Coffee · archived copy · Founded 2009 in Melbourne by Nolan and Shari Hirte; sources 'direct from origin' with 'deep and meaningful relationships with coffee farmers'; cafés in Melbourne and Portland; no prices published
- Proud Mary Coffee home page · archived copy · Coffees listed by named farm and producer (Finca Auromar, Manuel Vallecillo, El Vergel Estate); roasted in Melbourne; no certifications or prices paid mentioned
- 10 Minutes With Nolan Hirte - Barista Magazine · archived copy · Founder describes relationship with the Wagner family farm in Carmo de Minas, Brazil, and visits to farms in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador; buys Panama Geisha
- Limited Honduras La Salvaje 1st Place Cup of Excellence Geisha Washed - The Way to Coffee · archived copy · Proud Mary sells a Cup of Excellence winning lot from producer Fabio Caballero Jr., Marcala, Honduras; no price paid stated
- Proud Mary brings brekkie to Concordia - Concordia Neighborhood Association · archived copy · Proud Mary café opened in Portland, Oregon
- 2024 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor - US DOL · archived copy · Coffee listed for child labour in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and others, and forced labour in Brazil
Last researched 8 October 2026 · details still being verified. Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Represent this company and think something is wrong? A right-of-reply form is coming soon.