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SCAA 2005 Highlights
The annual conference of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is vital to the success of Fair Trade Certified™ in the US. This proved truer than ever at SCAA 2005 in Seattle, where Fair Trade producers made key industry contacts and sales and the Fair Trade network planned for continued momentum.
Fair Trade Certified events began with 2 Fair Trade Forums leading up to the show - one focused on producer related issues, the other addressed the specialty coffee industry and Fair Trade. Both emphasized the growth of Fair Trade and provided an opportunity to discuss views, challenges and celebrate successes. This year, nearly 126 Fair Trade coffee producers were in attendance from 35 cooperatives and 14 different origins, making for an amazing diversity of ideas and perspectives.
To kick-off the SCAA conference, renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall linked Fair Trade to her ongoing message of hope for the future, encouraging young people and everyone to make a difference in their world.
As the scent of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air, the conference opened - the buzz of activity surrounding the Fair Trade booth clearly illustrated that the certification label is on everyone’s mind. On the second day of the conference TransFair teamed with Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s to announce that Ben & Jerry’s is now making three flavors of ice cream made with Fair Trade coffee extract. The flavors, Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz, and Coffee, were featured at the Specialty Coffee Association of America Exhibition in Seattle. Ben and Jerry's is the first ice cream maker in the United States to introduce coffee flavors made with Fair Trade Certified coffee. The Ben and Jerry’s event garnered 276 media hits across a wide spectrum of mediums, including newspapers, radio and television stations, web sites and newsletters.
Sixteen Fair Trade producers participated in the SCAA’s annual Cupping Pavilion, and 12 of them ranked among the top 10 highest-scoring coffees of their region. In the final round, cuppers compared coffees across all regions to choose the top 10 coffees worldwide. Fair Trade Ethiopian producers Sidamo and Sidama made the final cut. With an impressive score of 88.86, Sidama was awarded the title of second best coffee among all Cupping Pavilion contestants! Congratulations to the Fair Trade producers for growing and selecting fantastic coffees for the Cupping Pavilion!
The events concluded with the annual Fair Trade Reception, where Fair Trade producers, industry and NGO partners came together to make new contacts and enjoy the company of fellow travelers. This event was held at the stunning new Seattle Art Museum, and featured a groundbreaking exhibit on new art and photography from China...of great interest to the internationally diverse crowd in attendance.
TransFair USA would like to express our gratitude to the organizations and individuals who contributed their time, expertise and financial support to make the SCAA event a success.
Donors:
DOEN Foundation and Green Development Foundation
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Anonymous Donor)
Product Donors:
Café Mam – Royal Blue Organics
Choice Organic Teas
Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Equal Exchange
Madison Market
Olympia Coffee Roasting Company
Pura Vida Coffee
The Republic of Tea
Tony's Coffees & Teas, Inc.
Wholesome Sweeteners
Zhena's Gypsy Tea |
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Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerrys rearranges the TransFair Booth as his daughter dishes out ice cream containing Fair Trade Certified™ Coffee!
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