Orleans Coffee wins 2017 Louisiana Lantern Award

Local coffee drinkers have more than likely enjoyed a cup of Orleans Coffee at one time or another. That is because coffee shops and restaurants all around the region serve the coffee roasters’ products.  For thirty years, Orleans Coffee has consistently delivered exceptional beverages every bit as interesting as the city that first inspired its name. The company has become a leader in its industry, expanding its reach across the country and innovating new ways to stay relevant in a crowded industry. It is for these reasons, and many more, that Orleans Coffee earned a 2017 Louisiana Lantern Award, a special distinction for Louisiana manufacturers.

Don Pierson, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary, presented Orleans Coffee with the highly prestigious award at a special reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge Tuesday evening. The Louisiana Lantern Awards provide an opportunity for the State to celebrate manufacturers from across Louisiana. The winning companies for each district display a contribution to the Louisiana economy and to their local communities through employee growth, increase in revenue, facility expansion, and community engagement.

The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) nominated Orleans Coffee for the District 1 award this year. The local coffee roaster was selected from the Greater New Orleans region to receive the highly coveted State award.

Founded in New Orleans in 1985, the manufacturer moved its headquarters and coffee roasting facility to Jefferson Parish in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Twelve years later, the company roasts over 1,500 pounds of coffee per day in its 8,500-square-foot-facility. It offers over 30 unique coffees and dozens of loose leaf and packaged teas from around the world. French Press, Caffe! Caffe!, the Windsor Court Hotel, and Café Envie top the list of local clients, but wholesale delivery routes extend from Baton Rouge and Lafayette to Mississippi and Alabama. The company also sells to coffee houses in New York, Indiana, California and Florida.  In addition to its wholesale business, the company developed a line of products for grocery stores. Called Parish Coffee Works, the line offers four unique blends and can be found in many local supermarkets. Orleans Coffee is proud to sell packaged and whole bean coffees in Rouses, Langenstein’s, Breaux Mart and other supermarkets.

In 2016, the company opened Orleans Coffee Espresso Bar, a small café in uptown New Orleans, and continued to expand its reach. Its newest café is located inside the Zeitgeist Multicultural Arts Center. These new cafes help elevate Orleans Coffees’ brand recognition within the community.

In recent years, Orleans Coffee has experienced growth in sales and an increase in employees. In the last three years, Orleans Coffee revenue has grown by over 11% and the company has added five new full-time employees, bringing the total to 22. It recently underwent a design rebrand, creating a new logo and modern packaging to mirror the company’s high-end product.

The company was an early adopter of important programs and practices within the coffee industry. Orleans Coffee was the first roaster in the Gulf South to apply for and receive USDA recognition as an Organic Certified roasting facility, a designation it has maintained for 10 straight years. Owner, Bob Arceneaux, is a recent graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Delgado Community College, a selective national program designed to elevate opportunities for small business owners. Bob has surrounded himself with a dedicated staff who believe in the company’s mission and vision; company leadership have visited coffee-producing countries to develop and strengthen relationships with coffee farmers, importers and exporters.

Not only does the manufacturer provide a continual boost to the Jefferson parish economy, but Orleans Coffee is also involved in improving the community. Employees donate time and resources to numerous charities and organizations, including Hogs for the Cause, Covenant House, the New Orleans Mission, The New Orleans Women’s and Children’s Center and Second Harvest Food Bank, to name a few.

“I am honored that our company received this award,” said owner Bob Arceneaux. “My staff and I are grateful that we’ve been recognized for maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency, as well as our contribution to the community.”

“Orleans Coffee exemplifies all of the qualities of a successful manufacturer,” said JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna. “The roaster’s leadership team is a pioneer within the coffee industry, continually seeking new opportunities for growth and advancement. Orleans Coffee is thriving within the Jefferson Parish food manufacturing industry, which is an identified focus area of the Jefferson EDGE 2020. We applaud the company’s efforts and look forward to Orleans Coffee’ continued success in Jefferson Parish.”

“It is an honor to celebrate Orleans Coffee as a Louisiana Lantern Award recipient this year,” added Jefferson Parish President Michael S. Yenni. “Orleans Coffee has not only proven itself as a Jefferson Parish and Kenner success story and a leader in its industry, but also as an advocate for the regional community. We are proud Orleans Coffee has chosen to call Jefferson Parish home and we look forward to a continued relationship with the company moving into the future.”

Owner, Bob Arceneaux, accepted the award on behalf of Orleans Coffee on Tuesday. LED presented him with a custom-built, handcrafted copper Lantern donated by Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights of New Orleans. The lanterns have become an internationally recognized trademark of New Orleans.  Bevolo is the oldest and largest copper gas lantern manufacturer in the U.S. and the second oldest in the world. For more information about the Louisiana Lantern Award, click here.