Heretic Coffee Co.

Heretic Coffee Co.
The coffee shop's exterior in 2025
Interactive map of Heretic Coffee Co.
Restaurant information
OwnerJosh White
Location5120 Southeast 28th Avenue, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, 97202, United States
Coordinates45°29′09″N 122°38′14″W / 45.4857°N 122.6372°W / 45.4857; -122.6372
Websitehereticcoffee.com

Heretic Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] It is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers.

Description

The coffee shop Heretic Coffee Co. operates on 28th Avenue in southeast Portland's Reed neighborhood. Run by volunteers, Heretic is a nonprofit organization that trains baristas and coffee roasters.[2][3]

History

Josh White owns Heretic.[4] He wanted the business to be community-oriented.[5]

In 2025, Heretic raised approximately $300,000[6] to serve breakfast to people who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the U.S. federal government shutdown, effective November 1.[7][8] The "SNAP breakfasts"[9][10] include a breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee.[11] More than 2,000 people donated to the fundraiser,[12] some as far away as Norway.[13] White has said the offer will last until benefits are restored or until the business "go[es] broke".[14] By mid November, Heretic had raised $360,000 and provided 1,200 SNAP breakfasts. The business announced plans to continue providing SNAP breakfasts indefinitely, despite the end of the government shutdown.[15]

Reception

Emily Hunt ranked Heretic's Valle del Cauca Decaf blend third in Tasting Table's 2024 review of thirteen decaffeinated whole bean coffees.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Double Shot: Heretic Coffee". The Reed College Quest. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  2. ^ Acker, Lizzy (2025-10-28). "Portland coffee shop raises over $86,000 to feed people losing SNAP benefits". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  3. ^ Acker, Lizzy (2025-10-28). "Here are 9 Portland-area coffee shops and restaurants that have pledged to feed people who lose SNAP benefits". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  4. ^ "Threat of Colombia tariffs rattles some Oregon coffee shops". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2025-02-17. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  5. ^ "Portland coffee shop raises more than $184K for free breakfast for SNAP recipients". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  6. ^ "Portland coffee shop that's raised over $300,000 for community breakfasts to also offer free lunch". kgw.com. 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  7. ^ Rhoades, Amanda. "'F— it, it's open now': Portland coffee shop offers free breakfast to SNAP recipients amid shutdown". KOIN.
  8. ^ Seibold, Hannah (2025-10-29). "As SNAP benefit cuts hit Portland, local businesses respond with free meals". The Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  9. ^ "Portland businesses unite to get food to those losing SNAP benefits in November". kgw.com. 2025-10-27. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  10. ^ "Heretic Coffee offers free 'SNAP' breakfasts to aid families facing food insecurity". KATU. 2025-10-28. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  11. ^ Marks, Makenna (2025-10-30). "Portland coffee shop offers free breakfast for SNAP recipients during shutdown". KPTV. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
  12. ^ "Local Businesses Offer Free Food to People Losing SNAP Benefits". Willamette Week. 2025-10-29. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  13. ^ "'People are terrified': Health insurance hikes, SNAP benefits are the focus at Rep. Janelle Bynum press conference". kgw.com. 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  14. ^ Brown, Nick (2025-10-29). "Coffee Shops Step Up as Federal Government Ends Food Assistance Funding". Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  15. ^ Armstrong, Mikhala (2025-11-15). "Heretic Coffee plans to keep Portlanders fed after raising over $360K". KPTV. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  16. ^ Hunt, Emily (2024-12-17). "13 Decaf Whole Bean Coffees, Ranked". Tasting Table. Retrieved 2025-10-30.