About Us

I'm Michael Volpe, and together with my wife Ashley and her daughter Autumn, we run this coffee company from Rhode Island. Our household is a lively one, filled with the love and energy of our pets - a cat, a bunny, a chinchilla, and our two cherished sister-corgis, Penelope and Basil. Our story is rooted in a lifelong passion for animals.

Growing up, both Ashley and I always had pets by our side. When we started dating in 2014, we each brought a dog into the relationship, and our shared love for animals only grew stronger. This bond has become a cornerstone of our family life. In addition to our coffee business, we operate a fitness club and a line of nutritional supplements. However, we always felt there was something more we wanted to do, especially when it came to helping animals in need. We've always dreamed of contributing to animal welfare, whether by helping pets find their forever homes or ensuring they have a comfortable retirement in shelters and rescues.

Both Ashley and I are coffee lovers - I enjoy mine hot or iced, while Ashley is all about iced coffee. This shared passion led us to a unique idea: why not combine our love for coffee with our desire to help animals? That's how Penelope & Basil's came to be. Our mission is simple but profound: to offer top-quality coffee while donating a portion of every sale to animal rescues and shelters. These organizations do incredible work, and we want to support them in any way we can. When you choose Penelope & Basil's, you're not just getting a great cup of coffee—you're also helping animals in need. Thank you for joining us on this journey and supporting a cause that's so close to our hearts

With love, 

The Volpe Family

FAQ's:

Q: What makes Penelope & Basil's coffee different from store-bought brands?

A: Penelope & Basil's coffee is freshly roasted and ground upon order, ensuring that customers receive the coffee at peak freshness, which enhances its flavor and aroma. This level of freshness is typically not available with store-bought brands, which often sit on shelves for extended periods.

Q: How does Penelope & Basil's support animal rescues and shelters?

A: A portion of every sale at Penelope & Basil's is donated to animal rescues and shelters. This support helps provide care, shelter, and medical attention to animals in need. We partner with local and potentially national organizations to ensure that our contributions have a significant impact on animal welfare.

Q: Can I choose which rescue or shelter my purchase supports?

A: Currently, donations from Penelope & Basil's are allocated to specific partner organizations chosen by us. While customers may not select the specific rescue or shelter if you know of a shelter or rescue in need of help please inform them of our mission and then email us at support@penelopeandbasils.com so that we set up a fundraising campaign with them.

Q: Is Penelope & Basil's coffee ethically sourced?

A: Yes, Penelope & Basil's sources its coffee beans from small, sustainable farms around the world. This ensures that the coffee is not only high quality but also produced in a way that respects the environment and supports the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. All of our flavored coffees start as specialty grade single origin coffee roasted in small batches to a smooth medium. Each order is then carefully flavored with high quality flavoring oils while still warm.

Q: What do the various certification/gradings mean?

A:

• Organic: Coffee grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers, using eco-friendly and sustainable farming practices.
• Swiss Water Process (SWP): A chemical-free method of decaffeination that uses water and activated charcoal to remove caffeine while preserving the coffee’s flavor.
• Natural Process: Coffee cherries are dried whole in the sun, allowing the beans to absorb fruity flavors from the pulp, with no chemical involvement during this process.
• SHB (Strictly Hard Bean): Coffee grown at high altitudes, resulting in denser beans with a more complex flavor profile. It can be organic or conventionally grown.
• EP (European Preparation): A grading process where coffee beans are hand-sorted and screened for quality, ensuring uniformity and reducing defects. It is independent of whether pesticides are used.