Labor Allegations + New Ethiopian Coffee Auction
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Public Eye and Repórter Brasil Outline Modern Slavery Conditions in Brazil
Swiss watchdog news agency Public Eye and Repórter Brasil collaborated to produce an exposé on multiple cases of alleged slavery in the Brazilian coffee sector. The report alleges that at least one farm involved was part of Swiss coffee giant Nestlé’s supply chain. In the report, coffee workers outlined inhumane accommodations without beds or running water, debt bondage and misleading promises regarding compensation. Nestlé issued a reply to Public Eye outlining a “zero tolerance” policy for such practices within its coffee supply network.
Bay Area Blue Bottle Baristas Plan to Unionize
On June 17, baristas across four California Blue Bottle Coffee locations in the East Bay area announced an intention to join the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU), giving the coffee company a Friday, June 20 deadline to voluntarily recognize the organization. The move follows last year’s unionization of all six Blue Bottle locations in the Boston area.
Quills Coffee Workers Approve Union Contract
In other unionization news, dozens of workers at Louisville, Kentucky-based Quills Coffee voted unanimously to approve their first union contract this week, which includes pay raises, paid family leave, overtime and extended paid breaks, according to a WAVE report. “Our first proposal, [Quills] pretty much accepted the majority of our policies right away. You don’t really hear that a lot,” a source told the news outlet.
Oregon Public Broadcasting Follows Up on Political Meeting with Oregon Coffee Folks
Following DCN’s report of U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici’s meeting with coffee leaders in Portland, Oregon, regarding tariffs and USAID cuts, Oregon Public Broadcasting caught up with organizer Emily Smith, host Cassy Gleason and attendee Darrin Daniel for an audio interview.
Update on the Trump Administration’s ICE Raids in Kona
Local coffee farmers in Hawaii’s Kona region experienced what appears to be a brief reprieve from ICE raids under the direction of the Trump administration, according to a Hawaii Public Broadcasting report. However, the administration seems to be walking back its previous directive to not target U.S. agricultural workers, according to NBC News.
Root Capital Invested $73.6 Million Toward Climate Resilience in 2024
Last year, the nonprofit impact investor Root Capital invested $73.6 million to bolster the climate resilience of more than 237,000 small-scale farmers while promoting regenerative agricultural systems around the world. Root Capital’s full 2024 climate resilience roadmap annual report is available here.
Faysel Abdosh’s Inaugural Ethiopian Coffee Auction Coming in July
Ethiopian coffee producer Faysel Abdosh is launching an online auction featuring high-quality microlots from the Guji and Sidama regions from July 14-16. Proceeds will benefit “Project Direct,” a nonprofit that helps educate smallholder coffee farming communities and build schools and healthcare facilities. Registration and sample sets are available here.
New Book from Japan, The Coffee Fanatic, Out Now
Ryo Mikami, founder of micro roastery Roast Design Coffee near Tokyo, has released a new book titled “The Coffee Fanatic,” developed in partnership with one of Japan’s leading specialty coffee importers, Wataru Co., Ltd. The book is available as an e-book or in hardcover through Amazon and the Roast Design Coffee store.
Danone Opens New Creamer and Stōk Cold Brew Factory in Florida
Back in 2023, packaged foods company Danone North America announced it was spending $65 million to expand a 77-year-old plant in Jacksonville, Florida, to meet its growing demand for International Delight creamers and Stōk cold brew. The plant opened June 17. Danone also said this week that it is planning to open a new distribution center in Jacksonville, according to a Food Dive report.
TikTok Country Star “The Coffee Girl” Opens Coffee Shop in Illinois
Influencer Alexandra Kay, known as “The Coffee Girl” on TikTok for singing country music covers while making her morning cup of coffee, just opened her first coffee shop called Coffee Girl in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
U.S. Specialty Coffee Consumption Reaches New High, Beats Traditional Coffee
Daily consumption of specialty coffee surpassed traditional coffee for the first time among United States consumers this year, marking a milestone shift in coffee-drinking habits, according to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) 2025 Specialty Coffee Report released today… read more
Groundbreaking Coffee Leaf Rust Study Offers Insights Into Resistance
A groundbreaking effort led by Oregon-based nonprofit World Coffee Research (WCR) just delivered the most extensive real-world evaluation to date of how arabica coffee varieties stand up to their most relentless natural foe: coffee leaf rust… read more
Keurig Agrees to $950K Settlement Over Alleged Coffee Maker Defect
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., part of Keurig Dr Pepper, recently agreed to a $950,000 settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that certain Keurig coffee makers suffered a defect after descaling… read more
Upstate NY Entrepreneur Launches Elemental Coffee Lab in Honor of Late Husband
Casey Galloway has rebranded her recently acquired coffee roasting business in the Finger Lakes region of New York as Elemental Coffee Lab… read more
In India, Coffee Agroforestry Systems May Also Work as Seed Nurseries
The growing appetite for specialty coffee in India has also driven the demand for it to be more sustainably sourced… read more
Colombia’s Sustainable Coffee Sector and its Lessons for Climate Solutions
Climate change poses an urgent threat to global agriculture, endangering food security, economies and ecosystems… read more
Three Questions with Emmanuel Bushiazzo of La Claque Café
In 2012, while completing his second postdoctoral fellowship in California researching coral conservation, Emmanuel Bushiazzo came across a library book about how to open a coffee shop for dummies… read more
