Zuivere Koffie

More About Zuivere Koffie

Zuivere Koffie was founded in 2015 under the leadership of entrepreneur and former inmate Jemuel Lampe, with a clear goal: providing paid work and vocational training to reduce recidivism. The company builds career paths through coffee, bakery, and hospitality, linking product quality directly to social impact.

From the start, the roastery produced behind walls, within the Justitieel Complex Zaanstad in Zaandam. In 2016, roasting operations moved fully into the complex, consolidating the "in the bajes" (in prison) model. Since May 2025, a shop at Koningin Wilhelminaplein 1 in Amsterdam has increased visibility outside the walls. The brand is part of Social Impact Maker.

Leadership and Organization

Jemuel Lampe leads strategy and public advocacy regarding reintegration and second chances. Operational leadership was shaped by figures including Linda Tammerijn, while Managing Partner Bas de Haan is publicly associated with Zuivere Koffie. The webshop refers to a "Chief Coffee Roaster" who curates the selections, without public naming. The company is PSO 30+ ABW certified, implementing inclusive work practices for those distanced from the labor market.

Roasting, learning, and a regenerative approach

The roastery operates within an energy-regenerative production facility in Zaandam, maintaining a communicated climate-positive position. An internal training program, the Zuivere Koffie University, combines roasting, cupping, and barista skills on the job. Daily production takes place in shifts, where inmates rotate between the roastery and service to build routine and craftsmanship.

Assortment, blends, and singles

The core assortment consists of long-standing SKUs, supplemented by seasonal editions. The flavor profiles focus on accessible quality for espresso and filter, backed by clear origin stories.

"No. 1", medium roast, notes of chocolate and citrus, a blend of beans from Colombia, Brazil, and Honduras.
"Power Chicas", a dark roast single origin from Peru, sourced via the Cafe Femenino program for women producers, developed specifically for milk-based drinks and smooth black coffee.
"Black on Black", a dark roast featuring high-quality organic, fairtrade arabica with a touch of robusta from Sumatra and Vietnam, designed for a powerful espresso.
"Classic Red", a filter-focused medium roast with components from Brazil, Peru, and Vietnam, inspired by old-school filter coffee.

Sourcing Model and Origin

Sourcing spans Latin America and Asia, with origins in Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Peru, Sumatra, and Vietnam. The brand's messaging emphasizes fair pricing for farmers, with organic and fairtrade certifications applied at the SKU level where relevant. A detailed transparency report with farmer or FOB data is not publicly available.

Production, capacity, and expansion

Production takes place within JC Zaanstad, where 24 large workspaces support artisanal craftsmanship under strict safety protocols. Approximately 70 inmates are involved in coffee, bakery, and tea packaging. Around 16 people work in the roastery daily across two four-hour shifts. The model has expanded to a women's prison for tea packaging and to other locations for bakery training. Exact batch sizes and machine capacity have not been made public.

Channels, retail, and services

Zuivere Koffie serves both consumers and corporate clients through a mix of channels. The shop in Amsterdam acts as a showcase, while online subscriptions provide a structured recurring purchase model. Event catering brings their story directly to companies and the public.

Direct-to-consumer via webshop, including a "Roasters Choice" subscription featuring 3 × 250 grams per month.
Physical retail located at Koningin Wilhelminaplein 1 in Amsterdam, offering a pickup option for online orders.
"ZK on Tour" event bar serving coffee, tea, and sweets, incorporating impact storytelling.
B2B offerings for offices and hospitality, including delivery and account management.
Selective placement with local partners, such as city partner stores and community outlets.

Customers, partners, and portfolio

Their corporate client list includes the likes of Google, Thuisbezorgd, ABN AMRO, Vermaat, and Vitam. A partnership with the Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen supports training and production within prison walls. Membership in Social Enterprise NL confirms their status as a social enterprise. Related lines include "Guiltea" for tea and "Jailbird" for bakery products.

Impact, recognition, and media

The company operates a climate-positive roastery and bakery, backed by PSO 30+ ABW certification and membership in Social Enterprise NL. Key impact figures include approximately 70 active participants, 100 placed candidates, and a waiting list for participation. External reports highlight an 87 percent reduction in recidivism among participants compared to reference groups. This work earned them a spot in the finals for "Best Government Innovation of the Year 2023." Media coverage appeared in Food Inspiration in 2024, as well as podcast interviews in April 2024 and September 2025.

What this means for the Dutch coffee sector

For café owners, baristas, and buyers, Zuivere Koffie combines consistent flavor profiles with training-driven production and demonstrable social value. Their model provides jobs and essential skills, while their product range aligns with standard milk-based recipes and filter profiles. For events and employers, the blend of B2B service and a powerful impact story provides a unique edge without compromising on quality.

In short, Zuivere Koffie demonstrates how branding, training, and inclusive labor reinforce one another within a single supply chain. The combination of product-level origin transparency, regenerative production claims, and strong partner networks creates a scalable example of impact in coffee, from bean to barista.

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