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USA Today Report: Coffee Chains Falling Short on Diversity Pledges
A new report from USA Today suggests that some of the largest coffee companies are falling short on diversity promises made following the racial reckoning in the summer of 2020. According to the report, Starbucks is behind the pace in staffing people of color in both corporate and retail/manufacturing positions. Meanwhile, the investigation found that the racial representation at Peet’s Coffee is not proportionate with the communities in which the company operates. The story noted that Caribou Coffee reported one Black executive in 2020, and no women of color, out of 15 executive positions. Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity Founder Phyllis Johnson was one of the story’s sources. She told USA Today that, “The problem exists in decision-making roles and opportunities.”
Bunafr Updates Home Roaster Backers on Fulfillment Delay
Seattle-based startup Bunafr this week alerted crowdfunding backers to a delay in its core home roasting machine due to a technical issue with the “crack detection” feature. An IndieGoGo campaign last year raised more than $227,000 for the product launch.
El Niño Threatens Indonesian Coffee Production
The dry weather of El Niño could hamper coffee production in Indonesia, Reuters reports. Excessive rain has already reduced output, driving up global coffee prices. The dry conditions are forecasted for the end of the year and early 2024. Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest coffee producer, producing both arabica and robusta coffees.
Weber Workshops Launches Unifilter 49
Weber Workshops has expanded its Unifilter line of specialty portafilters and baskets with the release of the Unifilter 49. The new 49-millimeter portafilter is designed for use with premium manual home espresso machines such as La Pavoni and Olympia Cremina. It maintains the single-piece construction of the original 58-millimeter version.
Appeals Court: Starbucks Must Indeed Rehire ‘Memphis 7’
Seven employees from a unionized Starbucks in Memphis, Tennessee, must be rehired after an appeal from the coffee chain was rejected, Reuters reports. According to previous court rulings, the employees were fired over their support for a union. Starbucks has been criticized for its labor relations practices since individual stores became eligible for unionization.
Fundraiser Aims to Help Espresso Technologies Owner
A GoFundMe campaign is seeking to help Anthony McRae, the owner and operator of Seattle-based commercial coffee and espresso equipment repair company Espresso Technologies, as he recovers from heart surgery. Darryl Miller, CEO of Fidalgo Coffee, is organizing the fundraiser to help McRae keep pay rent while he is unable to work.
Puerto Rico Coffee Nets 92 Points on Coffee Review
Forgotten Forest has received the highest Coffee Review score ever for a Puerto Rican coffee, according to the company. The medium-light Tanama Natural, produced by Domenico Celli Borrero, received 92 points in the review. Forgotten Forest is a coffee production company and roaster based in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.
Klatch Coffee Introduces Pearl Reserve Line
Klatch Coffee has launched a new line featuring rare coffees called Pearl Reserve, in celebration of the Southern California brand’s 30th anniversary. The line has included weekly coffee drops of specially packaged, limited-run and experimental coffees of exceptional quality, including numerous Gesha-variety offerings.
Laurence Tanty Named Fairtrade International Board Chair
Laurence Tanty has been named chair of the Fairtrade International board. Tanty has been a member of the board for two years, and she replaces Lynette Thorstenson as chair. This year, Fairtrade International made historic raises to minimum coffee prices.
Probat Welcomes 10 New Coffee Trainees
German coffee roaster manufacturer Probat has welcomed 10 young apprentices who will train in various roles with the company over the next few years. The company, which recently launched its largest electric roaster to date, has been recognized by the Lower Rhine Chamber of Industry and Commerce for its professional training efforts.
Scooter’s Coffee Names Tim Arpin as Chief Sales Officer
Tim Arpin has been named the new Chief Sales Officer for Scooter’s Coffee. Arpin was previously Vice President of Franchise Sales for the drive-through coffee brand. The Nebraska-based company plans to have 1,000 franchise stores open by the end of 2024. Scooter’s Coffee was recently named the title sponsor of the Frisco Bowl college football bowl game.
Randell Weaver Named NuZee CFO
Coffee co-packing company NuZee has appointed Randell Weaver as its chief financial officer. Weaver was previously CFO of operational management company Reinvention Unlimited. NuZee recently partnered with Stone Brewing for a coffee product launch.
In Case You Missed It
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Muhammad Zidan, the producer of the Best of Yemen 2023 top lot.
Best of Yemen Auction Lot Breaks Price Record at $444 Per Pound
Since debuting as the first ever Private Collection Auction (PCA) from the nonprofit Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) in 2019, the Best of Yemen coffee auction has routinely resulted in astounding prices… Read more
Help Maui Coffee People Following Devastating Fires
Dozens of coffee businesses have been severely affected or destroyed by the wildfires that ripped through western Maui, Hawaii, last week… Read more
Cannon Coffee Blasts Into Roasting in Hagerstown, Maryland
Four years after opening in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, Cannon Coffee has opened a second retail location at the front of its brand-new roastery… Read more
GrainPro and NKG Partner for US Bag Recycling Program
Industrial coffee bag maker GrainPro and the United States arm of global green coffee company Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) have launched a recycling initiative… Read more
5th World Coffee Conference Coming to Bangalore, India
The fifth World Coffee Conference is heading to Bangalore (Bengaluru), India, bringing together a multitude of stakeholders to address pressing issues… Read more
Emphasizing Ecuador, Cholita Coffee Opens in Queens
Celebrating the coffees and culture of Ecuador in the New York City borough of Queens is Cholita Coffee (Instagram link), the creation of a pair of first-generation Ecuadorian-American siblings… Read more
Dunkin’ Spiked Gives New Life to Perpetually Dying Hard Coffee Category
As the pumpkin spice flavor trend rages unabated, the United States coffee giant Dunkin’ is revisiting a coffee beverage trend… Read more
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