certificationsFair Trade USA Founder Paul Rice Resigning as CEO
An influential figure in the fair trade movement over the past quarter century, Paul Rice is resigning as CEO of Fair Trade USA. In an announcement last week, Rice said...
Corporate
certifications
Brian NiccolStarbucks North America CEO Michael Conway Retiring After Five Months
Starbucks announced that North American CEO Michael Conway is retiring. The move comes just five months after Conway’s appointment to the position, which was part of a broader corporate leadership...
AustraliaAustralia’s Caffe Assist Rolls Out the Legato Plus, Legato Rinser And App
Australian commercial equipment maker Caffe Assist recently unveiled the Legato Plus, an upgraded version its patented automatic milk steaming system for cafes. At the Fine Food Australia event earlier this...
Coffee Fest MinneapolisMill City Roasters Moving Into Massive New HQ in NE Minneapolis
Minnesota-based roasting equipment maker Mill City Roasters is prepping for a significant expansion this fall, with plans to expand to a nearly 40,000-square-foot-building in Norheast Minneapolis. The one-story 1950s office...
bankruptcyRed Bay Coffee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in Oakland
Oakland, California-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer Red Bay Coffee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last month, citing financial losses in the first half of 2024. The coffee...
CorporateKeurig Charged with Deceptive Recyclability Claims, Pays $1.5 Million
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today charged Keurig Dr. Pepper with making inaccurate statements regarding the recyclability of its single-use plastic K-Cups. To settle the charges, the...
California/PacificCalifornia Roaster Makes Record Bid of $445/lb at Ethiopia Cup of Excellence
Following a hiatus year, the Ethiopia Cup of Excellence coffee competition resulted in a record-high auction price for any country, with the top lot selling for $445 per pound. The...
Black CoffeeDeion Sanders Joins BLK & Bold as Co-Owner and Social Change Leader
American football legend Deion Sanders, a.k.a. Coach Prime, has acquired an ownership stake in Iowa-based coffee roaster BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages. While the terms of the deal have not...
acquisitionsQima Coffee Parent Company Buys UK’s The Gentlemen Baristas
Origins 1450, the UK-based parent company of green coffee trader Qima Coffee, has acquired London’s The Gentlemen Baristas for an undisclosed sum. In an announcement this week, Origins 1450 said...
60 DecibelsThe Coffee Farmer Thriving Index Says ‘Listen to the Farmers’
A major report from the social impact assessment firm 60 Decibels found that more than one third of coffee farmers in Uganda reported no profit in the previous year, with...