St Ali
Partly verifiedSt Ali isn't doing enough to protect workers: there's no proof workers earn a living wage, and unions and workers' rights are heavily restricted in Brazil and Honduras. It does have some safeguards, as workers or farmers share in ownership.
Last researched 8 October 2026
Not doing enough. Workers in the supply chain are likely underpaid, unprotected or in danger, and in the worst cases face forced or child labour. Look for a better-graded alternative. What this grade means
Good: 1 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: 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil 32% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Honduras 22% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Colombia 16% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | High |
| Peru 5% | Regular violations | Well below a living wage | Low |
| China 4% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Ethiopia 4% | Regular violations | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Kenya 4% | Regular violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia 4% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Uganda 4% | Regular violations | Far 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)
- Worker or farmer owned
ST. ALi is a Melbourne specialty roaster that says it is wholly owned by its employees, from senior managers to delivery staff, and has no parent company; its staff numbers are not published. It says it has been "an industry leader in direct relationships with farmers" since 2005 and agrees prices with producers where possible, but does not publish the prices paid, a list of farms or a transparency report. Its blends, including the flagship Orthodox (50% Colombia, 50% Brazil), name countries but not farms, apart from one Brazilian estate; only its few rotating single origins from Honduras and Costa Rica name the farm or producer. Production shares are estimated from the current product range by counting each product's origins (using stated blend percentages where given), not from purchase
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| B Corp directory | Not listed | ST. ALi is not a Certified B Corp. View ↗ |
| Fairtrade (incl. FLOCERT and Fairtrade ANZ) | Not listed | ST. ALi coffee is not Fairtrade certified. View ↗ |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Unclear | No modern slavery statement is published; the company is likely below the A$100m revenue threshold for mandatory reporting. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No published allegations involving ST. ALi. View ↗ |
Sources (12)
- About us - ST. ALi · archived copy · Wholly owned by its employees; direct relationships with farmers; in-house roasting in Port Melbourne since 2005.
- Wholesale - ST. ALi · archived copy · Deals with producers directly where possible and agrees prices; employee-owned from management to delivery staff; roaster holds ACO organic accreditation; partners hold UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and or
- ST. ALi Orthodox - ST. ALi · archived copy · Flagship Orthodox blend is 50% Colombia, 50% Brazil (Mogiana, Vequis Estate); no importer or prices named.
- St Ali - Wikipedia · archived copy · Founded 2005; Salvatore Malatesta led it from 2008; Lachlan Ward became CEO in 2022; privately held and owned by employees.
- St Ali's Lucy Ward on life as a green bean buyer (BeanScene, 2017) · archived copy · Green buyer sources from Central America including Panama and Costa Rica; no named farms or prices.
- Coffee Roasters - Good On You / Shop Ethical (ethical.org.au) · archived copy · Rated B-; described as crew-owned; Climate Active carbon neutral; lacks Fairtrade accreditation.
- B Corp directory search · archived copy · No ST. ALi listing in the B Corp directory.
- Espresso blends wholesale list - ST. ALi · archived copy · Blend components: Orthodox 50% Colombia/50% Brazil; Italo Disco Brazil and India; Wide Awake 67% Brazil/33% China; Good Vibrations decaf Brazil and Peru; Feels Good 60% Colombia/40% India; no farms na
- Italo Disco - ST. ALi · archived copy · 90% Brazil Arabica, 10% India Robusta from large regional lots; no farms named.
- Way of the Jedi Light Side Blend - ST. ALi · archived copy · Colombia, Ethiopia and Kenya; no percentages or farms named.
- I Am Your Father Dark Side Blend - ST. ALi · archived copy · Brazil, Indonesia (Sumatra) and Uganda; no percentages or farms named.
- Single Origin & Special Releases - ST. ALi · archived copy · Four single origins: Honduras Los Encinos (Santos Ismael López), Honduras Los Pinos (Reniery Orlando Carvajal Guevara), Costa Rica Finca La Esmeralda and Costa Rica Las Lajas Estate (Oscar and Francis
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.