VERNON, Calif. – Joe, java, brew - whatever you call coffee – it would be hard-pressed to find a more recognizable name than Gaviña.

Lisette Gaviña-Lopez is a fourth-generation coffee roaster. She starts every day with a shot of espresso. Coffee, she says, runs in her family’s veins.

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“I work with my uncles, my aunt, my dad, sisters, and seven of my cousins. And it is unusual for a fourth-generation family business to have so many family members working in the company. But I think it’s actually really great because the more of us that are actually excited about being in this business the longer we’re going to be at it,” says Gaviña Lopez.

The company’s plant in Vernon is one of the most modern and technologically advanced roasting and packing companies in the country. The Gaviñas’ success is rooted in humble beginnings that date back 150 years to the hills Southern Cuba.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1963, the family founded Gaviña&Sons in 1967. Today, their iconic brand is housed in this 240,000 square foot plant.

“With a little bit of money if they were able to save and the grace of God and of the strength of the community here in Los Angeles my family was able to start a business start a life raise the next generation educate the next generation,” Gaviña Lopez said.

As the way people drink coffee evolves, so does Gaviña. But their focus isn’t just in how it’s consumed, but also in how it’s disposed of. With over 50 billion paper coffee cups thrown away every year in the U.S., the way their plant responsibly manages its own waste is of the utmost importance.

“When we open the coffee bags, we make sure not to cut the bags so they can be reused. And actually collect them as you can see on the pallet over there. And they’re reused for farming purposes, they’re a flower company that uses the burlap to wrap its flowers. So there’s definitely a second life,” says Gaviña Lopez.

As they build relationships around the world they continue to live the American Dream because there’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee.