The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Slow Food Coffee Coalition (SFCC) have announced a new partnership, looking to create positive change in the global coffee industry.
The collaboration commenced at the beginning of 2024 but was not formalised until the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Slow Food’s flagship event, in Turin, Italy, in September.
“Together, we can better identify and tackle the challenges coffee producers face every day, while also raising consumer awareness on choosing good, clean, and fair coffee,” says Emanuele Dughera, SFCC Coordinator.
SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos adds to this pledge to industry support.
“The SCA is committed to advocating for all actors within the coffee community by providing them with the resources, education, and support needed to thrive in an increasingly complex market,” he says.
“Our collaboration with the Slow Food Coffee Coalition will play a crucial role in continuing the work towards a more sustainable and equitable future, ensuring that ethical practices and social responsibility are at the forefront of every step.”
The global coffee sector employs 12.5 million coffee farms, two-thirds of which are smallholders. Coffee production is essential to rural economic activity but is susceptible to hazards.
“The SFCC’s main principles include preservation of biodiversity, safeguarding of human labour rights, food security through the application of agroecological principles, and education,” Dughera says.
“In order to achieve these goals, it is essential to build and strengthen new partnerships with distinguished partners such as the Specialty Coffee Association. For the SFCC and its partners, education and capacity development must remain at the forefront of each project.
“Empowering farmers with the tools, knowledge and skills to implement agroforestry practices everywhere in an effective manner is paramount. Training programs, workshops and knowledge sharing platforms must be expanded and made accessible to all, ensuring that they reach communities and practitioners.”
