Local Caribou Celebrates National Coffee Day With Amy's Blend

Sept. 29 marks National Coffee Day, and also the launch of Caribou Coffee's Amy's Blend--a special roast made in honor of "Amy," a Caribou employee who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995.

But unlike years past, this year, Caribou will donate 10 percent of all the proceeds from Amy's Blend to Cancer Care, rather than Susan G. Komen.

"Everyone knows an 'Amy,'" said Natasha Rakotz, assistant manager at Golden Valley's Caribou Coffee, located in Byerly's on Duluth Street. "We wanted to do something a little more broad this year, and honor not just breast cancer victims, but anyone dealing with cancer."

Cancer Care is a national organization that provides counseling and support for people with all types of cancers, not just breast cancer. While customers can purchase Amy's Blend, they can also donate the beans.

"We are donating beans to a different organization every week for about six weeks," Rakotz said. "People can buy the beans for themselves, or buy them and choose to donate. Either way, the 10 percent still goes to Cancer Care."

In addition to beans, customers can also purchase select merchandise or order Amy's Tea or a Cafe Miel, which is like a honey-flavored latte.

In total, Rakotz said that Caribou hopes to give $225,000 to Cancer Care.