February 28, 2007 — Organic coffee certification will be the focus of a seminar at the National Coffee Association’s 96th Annual Convention. David Abney, General Manager of QAI (Quality Assurance International), one of the nation’s leading organic coffee roaster certification organizations, will discuss the rapidly growing organic coffee market and what steps are needed to become certified as organic. QAI certifies three participants of the Organic Coffee Collaboration — a project of the Organic Trade Association.
Data from the Organic Trade Association’s 2006 Manufacturer Survey indicate that U.S. organic coffee sales totaled $89 million in 2005, up 40 percent from the previous year. One factor driving organic coffee sales in the U.S. is the high quality of the beans. As an indication of quality, organic coffees won Cup of Excellence competitions in both Brazil and Nicaragua in 2006. The prestigious award program, managed by the U.S.-based Alliance for Coffee Excellence, results in the selection of the best coffees produced in a particular country in a particular year.
Where: The Phoenician, Scottsdale, AZ
When: The seminar, “Profitability Track Record of Certified Coffees” will be held Friday, March 2, 2007, from 2-3:30 p.m. Convention dates are March 1-4, 2007.
Contact: Sandra Marquardt, On the Mark Public Relations, tel: 301-592-0077
Background:
Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic coffee is grown in approximately 33 countries, including the United States.
The Organic Coffee Collaboration - a project of the Organic Trade Association, the business association for the North American organic industry, includes:
Café Bom Dia (Coral Gables, FL) - Family-owned and operated coffee producer based in Brazil providing Marques de Paiva® premium organic coffee and other sustainable coffee products at a fair price through Sam’s Clubs nationwide and select Wal-Mart stores.
Dallis Coffee (New York, NY) - A leading provider of organic and Fair Trade Certified™ coffees, selling to Whole Foods, universities and top cafés and restaurants across the country.
DaSilva Fine Brazilian Coffee® (Greensboro, NC) - Provides organic ultra-premium single-estate coffee directly from Espírito Santo, Brazil, hand-selected and picked only from the most recent crops.
Elan Organic Coffees (San Diego, CA) - Coffee developer and importer offering certified organic socially responsible coffees it develops through partnerships with village co-ops.
Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA) - Worker-owned, Fair Trade Certified™ cooperative and one of the largest U.S. organic coffee roasters.
F. Gaviña & Sons (Vernon, CA) - A family-owned and operated specialty coffee roaster with over 135 years’ experience as growers, traders and roasters of fine coffees. The Gaviña family is committed to producing high quality 100% organic coffees for its Gaviña Gourmet Coffee and Don Francisco’s Specialty Coffee brands.
Fresh Harvest Products, Inc. (New York, NY) - Its Wings of Nature® brand coffees are small-batch roasted to a temperature that peaks the flavor and aroma of each bean, and then custom blended after roasting to provide unique and flavorful varieties.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT) - One of the leading U.S. organic coffee roasters and number one on CRO Magazine’s list of “100 Best Corporate Citizens” for the past two years.
S&C Naturals/Rocamojo, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) - Manufacturer of the sole organic coffee/soy blend sold by retailers nationwide and winner of Gourmet Retailer’s “Best Products of Show” award at the 2004 Fancy Food Show.
Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - North America’s leading certified organic coffee decaffeinator, which decaffeinates coffee for three other Organic Coffee Collaboration participants: Café Bom Dia, Elan Organic Coffees, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
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