Welcome to DCN’s Weekly Coffee News! Subscribe here for all the latest coffee industry news. Also, check out the latest career opportunities at CoffeeIndustryJobs.com.
Daily Coffee News photo by Nick Brown
Report: US Immigration Crackdown Hits Coffee Workers and Families in Hawaii
Following a crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration, federal agents from ICE have been taking coffee workers and children without criminal ties into custody, according to a report from the Honolulu Civil Beat. The report documents fear among coffee workers as well as in schools, with people afraid to leave their homes. “Pedro, an undocumented immigrant from Oaxaca, has been on the Big Island 19 years,” Civil Beat wrote. “He worked for a decade in restaurants and then on coffee farms. Married with four U.S.-born children, he is a good basketball player who used to play in a community park… Nowadays, there’s no more basketball, only the most critical trips to the grocery store. No more occasional dinners out.”
Ugandan Exporter JKCC Gets $6.5 Million Loan from IDH Farmfit
Dutch investment firm IDH Farmfit issued a $6.5 million USD loan to Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC), a Ugandan coffee exporting and processing company that sources from 7,426 smallholder farmers, according to an article in Impact Investor.
European DFIs Offer new line of Credit for ECOM
Switzerland-based coffee and commodities trader ECOM is receiving a $155 million USD credit facility from a group of at least five development-focused European firms, according to another report from Impact Investor.
Luckin Coffee First US Store Location Spotted in NYC
Chinese coffee roasting and retail giant Luckin Coffee is opening its first U.S. outlet inside a former Sunglass Hut at Eighth Street and Broadway in New York City. The news was first reported by EV Grieve.
JDE Peet’s Considering Price Increases
In its latest investor hearing, coffee giant JDE Peet’s said it is considering coffee price increases for consumers, saying its green coffee prices are 28% higher on average in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the second half of last year.
Keurig Taps into Consumer Price Fears with 30-day “Price Lock” Campaign
As commodity coffee prices remain relatively high, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has announced its first-ever “Price Lock” event. The campaign is designed to drive K-cup subscriptions, offering consumers a price guarantee through the end of the year. Food Dive has more.
Spirit Tea Hosting Matcha Competition at Night Swim Coffee
Spirit Tea is introducing a new matcha competition for baristas called The Silver Chasen at the Night Swim Roastery & Cafe in Charlotte, North Carolina. On Friday, June 6, eight teams of two will compete in three tea-based challenges. The winning team will get a $500 cash prize and two handmade silver chasen necklaces by Alexis Romero.
Dallas Coffee Shop B-Side is Now Little Joy
The B-Side Coffee shop in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood has new owners and a new name, Little Joy. Married couple Russell Tibbits and Allison Macalik recently acquired the shop, and plan to keep many of its existing features, including an indoor play area, according to a Dallas Observer report.
Health Department Shuts down San Francisco FiDi Coffee Bar
The Montgomery Street location of San Francisco mini-chain Coffee Bar was shut down by the health department following numerous violations cited by the city’s health department, according to an Eater report. The owners have the option to contest the suspension or apply for re-inspection.
Onyx Coffee Lab Launches Barista Provisions
Arkansas-based Onyx Coffee Lab recently introduced Barista Provisions, a line of five premium beverage powders available in wholesale or retail sizes. The lineup includes Chai Latte, Golden Milk Latte, Matcha Latte, Onyx Delight and Sipping Chocolate powders.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Technical Brand Ambassador – Sales Focus (North America) – Remote — Sovda Coffee
- Barista – Full Time — Glissade Coffee Company
- Roast Plant Supervisor — Kauai Coffee
- Regional Director of Cafe Operations — Lucky Goat Coffee
- Wholesale Sales Manager — Good Boy Bob, Inc.
- General Manager — Good Boy Bob, Inc.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
New Coffee Grinders at the 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo
As last week’s Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston gave thousands of coffee professionals a break from their daily grind, dozens of Expo floor booths were devoted to daily grinding… read more
Shiny New Espresso Machines at the 2025 SCA Expo in Houston
Espresso flowed like lava from a volcano of shiny new things at the 2025 SCA Expo in Houston last week… read more
12 New Coffee Tools from the 2025 SCA Expo
Beyond the roasters, grinders and brewing devices to which “making coffee” is generally credited, there’s a whole world of tools and accessories that can affect the end product… read more
Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity Honors BLK & Bold, Keith Hawkins and Martell Mason
The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity recently celebrated the work of BLK & Bold, Keith Hawkins and Martell Mason for their leadership, creativity and service in moving the coffee industry forward… read more
Column: The True Cost of Brazilian Coffee Goes Far Beyond the Commodity Market
If you have even minimal contact with the coffee supply chain — and by minimal, I mean even just being an occasional drinker — you’ve probably noticed your green coffee supplier, your roaster, your barista, or even a coworker or family member, talking about the sharp rise in coffee prices lately, right?… read more
Final Standings from the 2025 World Coffee Roasting Championship
Mikaël Portannier, representing France, is the 2025 World Coffee Roasting Champion… read more
Study: Coffee Grounds with Fungal Stuff Could Replace Packing Foam
A research team at the University of Washington recently developed a 3D printing method that could transform post-consumer coffee waste into useful, yet compostable, materials similar to custom-shaped polystyrene foam… read more
Comment