Tag Archives: Coffee

News, Supply Chain

WCA CEO announces Keynote and speakers’ lineup for Big Data virtual event (Episode 2) on 27 July 2022, 2-5 pm BST(UK)

Register for free here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Em6an8plShucW7JLREdThw

LONDON, United Kingdom – World Coffee Alliance (WCA), a leading network alliance of coffee industry professionals and stakeholders, producing critical insights including market research, due diligence reports and technical advice to the actors in the global coffee value chain, will hold Episode Two of the WCA TECHNOCOFFEE INNOVATION SERIES: DEMYSTIFYING BIG DATA IN COFFEE virtual event on Wednesday 27 July 2022 from 2:00-5:00 pm BST (UK time)/9:00 am-12:00 EDT.

Joseph de Villiers, CEO and Founder of World Coffee Alliance (WCA) said, “As ever, I am delighted to announce that our Keynote for Episode 2 of our WCA Trilogy in Digital Traceability – Big data virtual event is Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization (ICO). I believe that with her vast experience in the private sector, she will bring new impetus and energy to the global coffee industry and will provide a dynamic leadership with a vision that can hopefully bring some real and meaningful changes where needed.”

Vanusia commented, “I am delighted to be the Keynote for WCA Trilogy in Digital Traceability – Big Data virtual event. Big data plays a very important role in the sustainability and traceability of the global coffee value chain. However, in the end, question will be whether coffee producers and consumers can benefit from the use of this technology and how it can help mitigate or enable adaptive measure to address Climate change, specifically deforestation.”

Other confirmed speakers include David Davies, CEO and Founder, AgUnity (Inspirational Speaker), Cees Homburg, CEO, FarmersDirectCoffee (Solution Provider Speaker), James McKay, Principal and Founder, McKay Research (Moderator), Paul Rooke, Executive Director, British Coffee Association (BCA), Dr. Memoona J. Anwar, Chief Compliance and Innovation Officer, Data Zoo, Helen Bellfield, Trase Deputy Director, Global Canopy, Peter Kettler, Senior Advisor, International Trade Centre (Moderator), Dr Aaron Davis, Senior Research Leader, Crops and Global Change, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew., Jade Saunders, Senior Policy analyst and Board member, World Forest ID, Priya Guliani, UK Pre sident, Government Blockchain Association (GBA).

Sponsors for this event include AgUnity (Episode Sponsor) and FarmersDirectCoffee (Solution Provider Sponsor). David Davies, CEO and Founder, AgUnity commented, “Did you know that most of the world’s coffee is grown by largely invisible micro-farmers? Current traceability occurs with big farms, but many small farms are left out. Collecting data from them is extremely difficult, resulting in millions of missing data points. We can solve this issue by tracking data from the source. However, with micro-farmers living in remote regions without connectivity, the challenge must first be addressed by enabling digital inclusion of the last mile, alongside the coffee industry following a path of standardised data acquisition. I look forward to inspiring the coffee industry on how this is possible.”

Cees Homburg, CEO, FarmersDirectCoffee: “Thank you for the opportunity to present at the WCA Big data virtual event. Our Coffee Coalition makes the coffee chain traceable and more transparent. With this initiative, farmers are co-owners. Using open source blockchain technology, a CO2 calculator, and the FarmersApp, we add value to data for the entire chain.”

Big data is the main topic for Episode 2 of WCA Trilogy in Digital Traceability. The areas of discussion will include its impact on the coffee supply chain and Climate change. Big data has an increasingly pivotal role in e-commerce and coffee retail, developing new methods of tracking and delivering orders, and maintaining compliance. The event will also focus on the role of big data in identifying some of the critical issues in mitigating Climate change, especially in deforestation cases, where they require urgent action.

The British Coffee Association (BCA) our event partner. Paul Rooke, Executive Director of BCA said, “BCA Is happy to support WCA in this virtual Big data event particularly with regard to its impact on the supply chain and the role it can play in delivering a sustainable coffee future. Increasing data volumes can give us all more precise knowledge and information to support the whole coffee community whether that be in better informing consumer choice, building best practice information for the producer or streamlining and enhancing the movement and production of the coffee – all to ensure we can continue to grow and enjoy this special beverage.”

Register for free here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Em6an8plShucW7JLREdThw

News

Search is on for ‘Bari-Star’ to lead wellbeing and business partnership at historic market

THE search is on for a talented ‘Bari-Star’ to lead an exciting new business partnership.

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) and Cadwyn Clwyd are stirring up interest in an exciting collaboration – focused on sustainable coffee, health and wellbeing – with a unique recruitment drive over the coming weeks.

The successful entrepreneur will receive six months start-up funding, a fully equipped space at Ruthin’s revamped Market Hall, a collaboration with a sustainable coffee roaster and marketing as part of the Community Innovation Denbighshire campaign, supported by Denbighshire County Council.

Advanced barista skills training is also featured in the offer, along with mentoring, guidance and advice and inclusion in Ruthin Market Hall’s new film series.

Ali Carter, Enterprise and Investment Manager for DVSC, said: “We’re looking for someone with barista, creative and entrepreneurial skills, experience working in coffee retail and with a passion for independent, speciality coffee retail.

“This is a fantastic project in one of the most exciting, boutique venues in the region, a space which brings together like-minded artisan traders and individuals with exciting and innovative ideas that support local industry and give back to the community.”

She added: “We look forward to hearing from those who meet the above criteria in the weeks ahead; it’s a brilliant way to start the year, so we hope people wake up and smell the opportunity!”

To apply, send a three-minute video pitch to Ali and the team explaining why you would make a great ‘coffee entrepreneur’.

Include ideas on how to reinforce DVSC’s vision to embrace, attract and encourage contemporary sustainable businesses to join the Market Hall.

The initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. Follow the hashtag #UKCOMMUNITYRENEWALFUND.

For more information on the barista application process, email ali@dvsc.co.uk. Closing date is Saturday January 22. Visit https://www.ruthinmarkethall.com/bari-star-search

Visit www.dvsc.co.uk for more on the DVSC. Alternatively, follow them on Facebook at @DVSCDenbighshire, Instagram @DVSC_Denbighshire and Twitter @DVSC_Wales.

Food & Drink, News

Caerphilly Business Hopes To ‘Re-Invent Franchising Industry’ With New Initiative

A Caerphilly mobile coffee franchise has launched a new pricing structure in a bid to ‘re-invent the industry’.

Ystrad Mynach-based Coffee Blue has significantly reduced the minimum investment for its franchise packages to make franchising more accessible to those wanting to become their own boss.

The company is also giving franchisees guaranteed cashback over two years, with no royalty fees and no marketing fees.

Director, Martin Jones, hopes the new plans will create a ‘new norm’ for franchising.

He said:

“We want to create to re-invent the franchising industry.

“We believe in making franchising as accessible as possible without the scary corporate fees. Achieving your dreams of becoming your own boss and improving your work/life balance shouldn’t come at a hefty price.

“This new pricing structure will break down the barriers to franchising, creating quicker, more affordable ways to start a successful business.

Founded in 2018, Coffee Blue is a mobile coffee franchise that allows budding entrepreneurs to start their own mobile barista business.

While 2020 was a difficult year for businesses, Martin believes the pandemic has highlighted the demand for happier working environments.

He said:

“2020 has made us, as a business, realise there is a rising demand for people looking to improve their working life.

“Whether it’s the rise in home-based work, or changing a career entirely, we’ve all had time to reflect on the more important things in life.

“Hopefully, 2021 will let us continue to help people achieve their goals of working for themselves and gaining a happier working life.”

Food & Drink

Coaltown Coffee becomes one of the first coffee companies to be B Corp certified

Coaltown Coffee Roasters, an independent coffee roastery based in Ammanford, South Wales, has become one of the first B Corp certified coffee companies in the UK.

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.

As a B Corp, Coaltown is committed to behaving responsibly towards people and the planet.

To become a B Corp, it had to undertake the B Impact Assessment. This rigorous process evaluates how its operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers. From its supply chain and input materials to its charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification proves a business is meeting the highest standards of verified performance.

B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, forming a community of leaders to drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good.

Scott James, founder of Coaltown Coffee, said:

“Coaltown is B-Corp and B-Corp is Coaltown. Our founding principles were to be ethical, transparent and sustainable, and B-Corp has allowed us to follow set guidelines to ensure that we keep this promise. It’s been a massive achievement to receive this commendation and all companies should strive for this as a standard for our future.”

Scott James started roasting coffee in 2013, initially building his own roaster in his father’s garage. He began by supplying coffee shops and restaurants in the local area, but the business quickly grew.

In 2016 Scott bought a beautiful vintage 1958 PROBAT Italian coffee roaster and after three years of restoration he installed it in Coaltown’s new premises in Ammanford, just down the road from where the business started. Coaltown now supplies coffee to coffee shops and restaurants across the UK. It also sells its products to the public via its website, and in specialist food stores.

In 2018 the Coaltown Canteen opened in the same building. Serving coffee, pizzas and more in a unique roastery environment, it has quickly become a popular destination for people from Ammanford and further afield. Coaltown also runs an espresso bar in the Victorian arcade in the heart of Ammanford.

From the outset, Coaltown has focused on building sustainable relationships with high quality growers around the world. Understanding that the farmers are at the heart of what makes quality coffee rather than any supplier or third party, the company goes straight to the source and cut out any middleman. Coaltown’s ethos is to pay fairly for the dedication and effort the farmers put in every day.

Located in an area that experienced economic decline after the end of the Welsh mining industry, Coaltown is dedicated to bringing jobs and prosperity to the area. As part of this mission it provides barista training to local people in order to improve their job prospects. Scott himself faced limited employment prospects after leaving education, so this is a project close to his heart.

For 2020 Coaltown is also launching a unique coffee subscription service. More news will follow soon!