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IWCA Global Adds Three New Chapters
The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) has added BeNeLux, France and Ghana as new chapters, bringing the global network to 40 chapters. The additions follow chapter-signing activity during World of Coffee Brussels, where IWCA hosted events with chapter representatives from throughout the coffee value chain.
Mago Maga Launches Kickstarter for Roma-X Home Roaster
Chinese home roasting equipment brand Mago Maga is launching the Roma-X, its third-generation AI home coffee roaster, on Kickstarter. See DCN’s full feature on the Roma-X.
South Korea Signs Plastic-Reduction Agreement With Cafe Chains
South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has signed an agreement with coffee chains, fast-food companies, bakeries and independent cafes to reduce single-use plastics across approximately 22,000 stores. The participating businesses are expected to promote reusable cups, offer personal-cup discounts, limit automatic distribution of straws and avoid hard-to-recycle packaging structures, with detailed store-level plans scheduled to begin in September.
NAMA Opens Coffee Legend Nominations
The National Automatic Merchandising Association is accepting nominations for its 2026 Coffee Legend of the Year Award through Aug. 17. The award honors at least a decade of leadership and contributions to the coffee service industry, with the recipient to be recognized at CTW, taking place Nov. 18-19 in Austin, Texas.
Reuters: Nicaragua Tensions Could Affect U.S. Coffee Prices
Reuters reported that U.S. coffee prices could face added pressure if Washington responds to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s move to end elections with trade restrictions or tariffs. The report noted that the United States buys 35% of Nicaragua’s coffee exports, while U.S. retail coffee prices averaged $9.45 per pound in June.
Gia Lai Approves US$12.4 Million AI Coffee Institute
Officials in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province have approved a 326 billion VND (approximately US$12.4 million) investment in the AI Coffee Research and Development Institute – Gia Lai project, according to state news agency TTXVN. The project is expected to support coffee variety trials, seedling production, sample analysis, AI-based pest monitoring and farmer/business training, with official operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028.
Utah Coffee Shop Faces Copyright Suit Over Protest Image
Logan, Utah-based Cache Coffee and More and one of its owners are facing a federal copyright lawsuit over the alleged use of a protest photograph in used marketing. The lawsuit was filed July 13 by a photographer in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, alleging copyright infringement tied to a photograph from a “No Kings” protest, according to court records and Utah Public Radio.
WDIV Opens Fourgrounds Coffee and Newsroom Concept
Detroit NBC affiliate WDIV Local 4 has opened Fourgrounds, a coffee shop and satellite newsroom in downtown Plymouth, Michigan. The public-facing concept, created in partnership with Great Lakes Coffee, is designed as both a cafe and a community media hub for local news coverage.
Luckin Coffee Shows AI Retail System at WAIC
China’s Luckin Coffee presented its AI-Powered Ecosystem and broader digital-intelligence strategy at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. The company said the initiative includes technology and supply-chain partners such as Alibaba Cloud, Baidu AI Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud, VolcEngine and Amazon Web Services.
Smart Care Names President/CFO and Chief People Officer
Chicago-based Smart Care Solutions has appointed Veronica Lubatkin as president and chief financial officer and Jenna Susanke as chief people officer, effective immediately. The foodservice equipment, specialty coffee and beverage, refrigeration and HVAC service company said both executives will report to CEO James Mylett.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Cafe Manager / Retail Lead — Corvus Coffee Roasters
- Shop Manager — Needmore Coffee Roasters
- Green Coffee Procurement — Melitta North America, Inc.
- Café Manager (NOC 60030) — Coffee Mill Canada LTD
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
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Three Questions with Deandra Gauci of Coffee&strangers in Malta
When educator and Coffee&strangers founder Deandra Gauci opened her first espresso bar in Sliema, Malta, in 2022, many of her early guests were literally strangers to specialty coffee… read more
FDA Eyes Caffeine Labeling as a 2026 Priority
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering new guidance on caffeine labeling, a move that could eventually reach some packaged coffee-based drinks, ready-to-drink products or cafe beverages with added caffeine… read more
European Commission Adds Soluble Coffee to EUDR Product List
Soluble coffee is set to be added to the European Union’s landmark deforestation-free supply chains law, known as EUDR, under an act adopted by the European Commission this week… read more
AHA Says This Many Cups of Coffee Per Day is Safe for Most Adults
There’s some good health news for coffee drinkers circulating today… read more
Beyond Traceability: Why Producers Need Institutional Capacity for EUDR Compliance
When the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) comes fully into force, coffee exporters will no longer compete solely on quality or price… read more
Study Links Filter Coffee to Lower Blood Sugar via the Gut
A recent genetic analysis has identified a biological pathway that may explain why filter coffee, in particular, may be associated with lower blood sugar levels… read more
EUDR Provides Massive Challenge to the Vital Honduras Coffee Sector
Reinerio Zepeda is 88 and for almost a century has made his living from arabica coffee, grown in the shade at his finca, or ranch, near Minas de Oro in central Honduras… read more
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