It’s no secret that JNP Coffee strives to achieve the highest quality in everything we do. Quality makes more things possible and can even transform lives. When our customers and supporters recognize the quality of our coffee, the best compliment they can offer is to tell others about us.
I have several exciting news items to share with you, and I hope you will pass along this message.
I am thrilled to announce that I was recently certified as a Q grader. As a Q grader I have a deeper understanding of specialty coffee. Passing the certification tests was hard work, both mentally and physically, but well worth the effort.
I am also a nominee for Northeast regional coordinator of the newly reconstituted US chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association, and I encourage all SCA members to vote in March.
Look for me as a speaker at two upcoming conferences: AFCA in Kigali on February 14, and SCA in Boston on April 13.
Elections are coming up
Elections for the new SCA US Chapter will be held from March 11-29. This regional coordinator position promotes the specialty coffee industry and brings together its communities, campuses and trainers across the Northeast region, which includes 13 states stretching from Maine to Maryland and West Virginia, and west to Ohio. The responsibilities also include identifying potential members and organizing community meetings. The SCA has six regions across the country, with one regional coordinator for each. Regional coordinators serve two-year terms.
Addressing the AFCA On February 14, I will talk about my work ensuring quality and empowering women coffee farmers at the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) conference in Kigali, Rwanda, during the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) breakfast.
Together with Julie Marner of Burundi Friends International (BFI), I will describe the mission of JNP Coffee and the savings and loan programs we sponsor in four provinces in Burundi to both empower women and youth and develop leaders. I will explain how JNP Coffee promotes quality with a premium as the incentive. Julie will talk about the financial and leadership training provided to the women farmers and the power of partnership.
Collaboration is the watchword for our work together. JNP Coffee allies with IWCA to ensure women coffee farmers receive their premium payments. In turn, BFI and Project Concern International (PCI) have partnered to scale up the training program so more women gain financial literacy and grow in leadership roles.
We are looking forward to this opportunity to share the success of our partnerships, because we are here to make a difference.
Save the date Save the date for the Specialty Coffee Expo, April 11-14 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, at 415 Summer Street. JNP Coffee will be hosting cuppings in the booth at the Roaster Village and at the Burundi booth. Be sure to look for us and taste our delicious coffee samples!
JNP Coffee strives for the highest quality possible in the production and processing of our coffee. That’s why we give women farmers in Burundi a premium for growing high-quality cherries and help ensure quality at every step in our coffee production. I am pleased to be contributing to quality efforts in our industry. If you are ready to learn more about our coffee and try it for yourself, get in touch with us at info@jnpcoffee.com. Come connect and support sustainable production of heritage coffees.