Brewing a Sustainable Future in Mesa

Nestled in the historic downtown of Mesa, Jarrod’s Coffee Shop is nothing short of magical. In the heat of summer, the coffeehouse was starting to struggle with poor ventilation, holes in the roof, and an AC system that couldn’t keep up. That’s where GreenLight Solutions stepped in. Through the Mesa Youth Climate Fund’s first round of microgrants, we conducted a full energy audit to pinpoint exactly what Jarrod’s could do to improve efficiency. The findings were clear: a lot of work needed to be done. And with the second round of funding, we began to plan solutions to address our original findings.

Our goal was simple, as we wanted to make the shop more sustainable while also reducing long-term utility costs for the business.

Here’s what we accomplished together:

• Added four new vents and closed holes in the roof to improve air circulation and make cooling more effective. Installed a new ice machine, saving Jarrod daily trips to Costco and reducing gas usage and carbon emissions.
  
• Introduced a food recycler to turn coffee grounds and food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
• Launched a BYOC program.
• Purchased reusable mugs and glasses to reduce plastic waste.
• Conducted a water audit and, with additional funding from our project with St. Vincent de Paul, implemented improvements that now save the shop 35,000 gallons of water annually. 

The results speak for themselves: Jarrod’s is now not only more comfortable and functional for its patrons, but it’s also greener, more efficient, and more cost-effective to operate. From energy upgrades to new sustainable business practices, this historic coffee shop is now living proof that sustainability and small business success can go hand in hand.

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Neha Karanjia​
Neha Karanjia is a Fulbright researcher in Korea exploring circular food systems and ways to reduce food waste through practical, community-focused solutions. She has supported local businesses and institutions in implementing composting, water-saving, and energy efficiency measures that improve operations while minimizing environmental impact. Her work bridges research, policy, and everyday practice, aiming to make sustainability approachable and effective.