JNP Coffee creates economic opportunities for women (and some men) in Burundi through the specialty coffees they grow. You can experience some of these award-winning coffees at the upcoming SCA Coffee Expo. Stop by our booth #15 at the SCA Roaster Village for a cupping Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m., and April 14 at 11 a.m. Both Friday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, our coffees will be featured in the cupping exchange, room 204A. Taste for yourself how Burundi’s climate and high altitudes support these heritage coffee plants without genetic modification.
Last month, I shared how we strengthen coffee communities through strong partnerships during the African Fine Coffees Association conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Together with Julie Marner of Burundi Friends International (BFI), we addressed the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) breakfast and described the mission of JNP Coffee and the financial literacy programs BFI sponsors in Burundi. We are here to make a difference.
The partnership between JNP Coffee, BFI, IWCA and the women coffee farmers in Burundi makes it possible for women to earn, save and invest their money for the first time in their lives. We are helping them become part of their local economies, giving them a share of the power in their culture and enabling them to pass on the benefits of their empowerment to their children. Together we are helping them build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Elections underway
I remind members of the Specialty Coffee Association to vote during elections this month for the newly reconstituted US chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association. The elections continue through March 29. I am a nominee for coordinator of the Northeast region, which includes 13 states. The SCA has one coordinator for each of its six regions in the US. The regional coordinators, who serve two-year terms, will promote the specialty coffee industry and organize community meetings.
Read the SCA Daily Edition during the Expo
I’m very excited that The Daily Edition, published by the SCA during the SCA Coffee Expo, will feature an article about the impact collaboration can have on local community initiatives, highlighting JNP Coffee, BFI, Project Concern International (PCI) and IWCA Burundi in its daily news coverage during the SCA Coffee Expo, April 11 to 14.
On April 11, you will be able to read how women farmers learned to save money and make small loans to other women in their community. The premium JNP Coffee pays the women for their high-quality coffees, together with the savings and loan program, have enabled some women farmers in the Ngozi Province to build their own wet mill to control the processing of their coffee.
Come to a cupping (or two or three)
Stop by our booth #15 at the SCA Roaster Village for a cupping during the SCA Coffee Expo, Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m., and April 14 at 11 a.m. Both Friday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, our coffees will be featured in the cupping exchange, room 204A. The Expo will be at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center, 415 Summer St. For more information on the conference, go to www.coffeeexpo.org.
Buy some award-winning coffee
We will be handing out samples for some of our limited availability microlots at our booth at the SCA Coffee Expo. To reserve your supply or learn more about them, contact me at info@jnpcoffee.com. We hope to see you soon in Boston.