NCA Member

NCA Member Spotlight: Driftaway Coffee

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Company: Driftaway Coffee
Location: Brooklyn, NY
NCA Member Since: 2019
Website: driftaway.coffee
Facebook: facebook.com/driftawaycoffee
Twitter: twitter.com/driftawaycoffee
Instagram: instagram.com/driftawaycoffee

What does Driftaway Coffee do?

We are a direct-to-consumer coffee roaster, offering personalized subscriptions in an environmentally and socially conscious manner.

What drives your passion for this industry?

We started this company out of an urge to create. Create something we were passionate about. Something we could be proud of. And for our need for and interest in great coffee.

Why did you become a member of the National Coffee Association (NCA)?

I am interested in networking with other members and learning from everyone.

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Flavor as the common thread for coffee quality along the value chain

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Coffee cupping prep ©2019 Decisive Moment, NCA Convention

The role of cupping in specialty coffee

By Mario R. Fernández-Alduenda, The Coffee Quality Institute
Excerpted from The Sustainable Cultivation of Coffee
Discount available for NCA members

The popularity of coffee is still growing, but the definition of what makes a ‘good’ cup of coffee is complex.

It might be tempting to think that it is largely subjective, with so many types of coffee grown around the world, so many processes to consider throughout the value chain, and so many local and national preferences.

However, the sustainability of the industry depends on the value placed on certain types of coffee. Local economies can thrive or fail, depending on the desirability of their crop.

The growing preference for ‘specialty’ coffee, sold at a premium price, is making the quality question even more critical. The ability to distinguish specific characteristics that make some crops more desirable than standard commercial coffee has become a major consideration over the last 20 years.

Physical characteristics of the bean or cherry are not good indicators of flavor in the cup, so how is this important choice to be made?

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A Partnership to Protect the Future of Coffee

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The NCA is working with the Sustainable Coffee Challenge to help make coffee the world’s first agricultural product

By William (Bill) Murray, President & CEO, National Coffee Association

Here at the National Coffee Association (NCA), we like to say that “we serve coffee.”

With the rising threat of climate change, serving coffee today also means serving the planet. We know coffee’s future depends on coffee being the world’s first fully sustainable crop.

To help make this vision a reality, I am immensely proud that the NCA has joined the Sustainable Coffee Challenge.

(Read the official news release.)

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NCA Member Spotlight: JNP Coffee

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Photo: JNP Coffee

COMPANY: JNP Coffee
LOCATION: USA & Burundi
NCA MEMBER SINCE: 2018
TWITTER: @jnpcoffee
FACEBOOK: /JNPCOFFEELLC
INSTAGRAM: @jnpcoffee

Read more NCA member spotlights, or check out our complete list of members

What does JNP Coffee do?

We trade the very best East African specialty coffee from Burundi, while empowering women farmers with technical knowledge and unparalleled bonus/premium payments.

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How Can the NCA Serve Your Coffee Business?

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By Theresa (Terri) Bartlett, NCA Director of Membership

We’re introducing an easier way to pay for small businesses, coffee shops, and independent roasters — and brewing some big-picture benefits.

If you are a small coffee shop operator (ten units or less) or a micro-roastery (5,000 bags a year or fewer), then you are probably already burning the candle at both ends. 

You’re primarily focused on the “basics” – day-to-day challenges like keeping the doors open and the lights burning – even as you are looking down the road at growth opportunities.

The bottom line? Above all, resources are tight.

This is why we’re rolling out an easier way to access National Coffee Association resources – to better serve you. (We’re also offering a special prorated offer on 2019 dues, so you can pick the plan that’s right for you.)

Because while you’re minding the store, we’re minding the big picture:

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NCA Member Spotlight: AMI

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Read previous NCA member spotlights, or check out our complete list of members

AMI logo

COMPANY: AMI
LOCATION: Bristol, UK
TWITTER: @contact_AMI
FACEBOOK: /AMI
NCA MEMBER SINCE: Nov. 2018

What does AMI do?

AMI is Europe’s largest consultancy dedicated to providing business information for the global plastics industry.

With more relevance to the coffee industry, AMI’s lead packaging consultant, Martyna Fong, has championed the development of the single serve capsules expertise. She has a thorough understanding of the supply chain, global trends, and technical innovation in the segment.

AMI is keen to assist the NCA community with its market intelligence as well as specialist single serve capsules conferences – in North America and in Europe.

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Video: Community Coffee’s Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts

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It’s been two weeks since Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolina coast. In the storm’s devastating wake, communities across the southeastern United States are still struggling with flooding, wastewater, and access to basic supplies.

During difficult times, small things can mean the most. That’s why the Community Coffee team, in partnership with organizations like The Salvation Army USA, USO of North Carolina, American Red Cross, and Harris Teeter,  has served 16,000 cups of coffee to first responders and victims of Hurricane Florence to date.

“Good or bad, everyone loved sharing stories over a hot cup of Community coffee,” says Sean Kirby, Field Manager.

Watch the video below:

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Join the American Red Cross Specialty Coffee Professionals Donation Team

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Help track our industry’s life-saving impact.

By Spencer Turer, Coffee Enterprises

americanredcross

The coffee industry has recognized programs which support social responsibility, environmental stewardship, health issues, gender initiatives, women coffee producers, and sustainable communities at origin — often through the support of companies both large and small.

Here’s an opportunity to help the coffee industry make a big impact, as just one individual.

The American Red Cross is most familiar for their disaster relief services and regular blood drives.  Through a coordinated effort (and the wonders of technology), the coffee industry can support a national campaign which provides benefits in our local communities.

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How One Coffee Company Is Empowering Positive Change at Origin

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The following post is an edited excerpt of contend provided by Volcafe. Volcafe is an NCA member company. (Learn more about contributing guest blog posts to National Coffee.) 

Visit the NCA Coffee Gives Back Charity Showcase to learn more about how NCA members are working to support coffee communities at origin. 

Child labor is a big problem in some of the poorer areas of Uganda, which includes coffee producing communities. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution.

Any resolution demands a dedicated, sustained effort. It must get to the root cause of the problem and improve the economic viability of households so that parents can afford to let their children attend school.

Some coffee companies are choosing step up and take action to empower positive change at origin.

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NCA Member Spotlight: Java Momma

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javamommatransblack-04COMPANY: Java Momma
LOCATION: Danville, PA
NCA MEMBER SINCE: March 2018
FACEBOOK: /javamommainc
INSTAGRAM: @javamommainc

What does Java Momma do?

Java Momma fosters a community based on an abundance mindset that there is enough coffee and sales for everyone. We help our consultants redefine what direct sales is known for through information, training opportunities, and relationship building.

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