During the brainstorming phase of the “Rethinking the Food” Project, we were thinking of local restaurants we could focus our project on. Who could we talk to that could give us insight? Who’s setting a good example in a world of fast food and convenience?
Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop, located in Bethlehem, PA, has been on our radar from the beginning stages of the project; however, our interview with professor Kelly Allen inspired us to officially add them to the list. Professor Allen raved about Lit’s efforts toward sustainable food systems and said, “They are doing it right.” I was able to finally go today, and professor Allen is correct—they are absolutely doing it right.
Lit puts sustainability and community at the top of their list of priorities, which I experienced first-hand. From flavorful food and drinks to advocacy and equity, Lit Coffee is a shining model of how restaurants can maximze their positive contributions to the food system.
I can confidently say that the food and drinks at Lit are delicious. I had the apple pastelito, which was perfect and not too sweet. I got a strawberry matcha latte as well, which was also not overly sweet. I find that pastries and drinks can be almost sickeningly sweet at franchise coffee shops, but it appears that Lit makes an effort to dial it back on the sugar.
Lit’s vegan options are outstanding as well. They have vegan cookies, vegan cheesesteak pastelitos, and an array of nut milks to substitute in any drink. Many restaurants and cafés will have one vegan option, if that. I can tell that Lit strives to promote inclusivity (they even have Pride and Black Lives Matter flags around the café!), which I admire. This highlights how in addition to being exceedingly welcoming from a social justice perspective, people with dietary restrictions are not an afterthought here. Although I am not vegan, I can imagine how many vegan members of the Lehigh Valley are grateful that Lit provides them with delicious, sustainable treats.
I must note that the service at Lit is fantastic. The two people at the counter, Matt and Dan, were friendly, down-to-earth, and helpful. Additionally, the atmosphere is just as great. The aesthetic of the shop is very thrifted and eclectic, which I enjoyed. They sell local art displayed on tables so that each piece is easily seen. In another section, they sell local coffee grounds by Monocacy Coffee Co. I also noticed other local goods, such as cookbooks, being sold. One thing that specifically caught my attention is the display of their menu partners, which include Castle Valley Mill (Doylestown, PA), Crooked Row Farm (Orefield, PA), Blackbird Farms (Emmaus, PA), and many others; it was refreshing to see local names.
Although I didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted to at Lit, I am glad that I was able to experience some of the amazingness I’ve been hearing about. I will be returning ASAP. We also hope to connect with the owners in the next few weeks for a meeting. I highly recommend paying a visit to Lit as soon as you can—you won’t regret it!
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