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La Marzocco press photo.
La Marzocco Launches True Artisan Club
La Marzocco USA has launched the True Artisan Club, recognizing long-running machines by milestones including 500,000 to 4 million shots pulled, plus machines 15 to 30 years old. As an example, the espresso machine company featured Nashville’s Crema Coffee Roasters, whose Linea PB machine at its downtown location has pulled more than 4.2 million shots.
Westrock Coffee Says 100% of Coffee Now Responsibly Sourced
Arkansas-based Westrock Coffee says it has reached its “100% responsibly sourced” goal first set publicly in 2021, noting that as of 2025, 100% of its tea, green coffee and soluble purchases are verified through second- or third-party programs.
Opo Coffee Brings Back Upside Scholar Program for 2026
Georgia’s Opo Coffee sis reprising its Upside Scholar program for 2026, giving 15 recipients access to SCA Coffee Skills Program certificate courses, plus coaching coaching and mentorship. Applications are open through Feb. 28, with in-person certificate training slated for three consecutive days in April, May or June in Decatur, Georgia. Travel expenses are not covered.
University of Kentucky to Offer Coffee Studies Certificate
The University of Kentucky is introducing a Coffee, Science and Culture certificate for undergraduate students led by entomology associate professor David Gonthier. Pending approval, UK said students could pursue the certificate starting in Fall 2026, with coursework including “Not Just Coffee” and “Coffee Sensory Science,” plus visits to the UK Coffee Lab roastery.
Tax Justice Network Column Alleges a Starbucks ‘Swiss Swindle’
A guest post published by the Tax Justice Network summarizes a report alleging Starbucks shifts profits to Switzerland through intra-company charges, including an 18% mark-up on coffee beans in certain transactions, while also criticizing the approach’s impacts on producing countries and farmers.
Koppie Says New Funding Supports Scale-Up of Pea-Based Coffee Alternative
Belgian food-tech company Koppie says it has secured additional backing from DOEN Ventures plus a subsidy, bringing total funding to more than €2 million, as it moves toward scaling production of its fermented and roasted pea-based coffee alternative.
Pathway Vendors Sets 2026 Dates for Chocolate and Coffee Festivals
Pathway Vendors has posted dates for its 2026 Chocolate and Coffee Festival series, including Pennsylvania on Oct. 24-25, the DMV festival expanding to two weekends (Maryland on Nov. 7-8 and Virginia on Nov. 14-15) and a Jacksonville debut on Nov. 21-22.
Avoca Coffee Roasters Promotes Commercial Coffee Program Featuring Eversys Machines
Fort Worth-based Avoca Coffee Roasters is marketing a commercial coffee program for businesses, hotels and restaurants built around super-automatic Eversys espresso machines, plus coffee supply, staff training and ongoing support.
Community Coffee Appoints Caesar Pereira CFO
Louisiana-based Community Coffee has named Caesar Pereira chief financial officer effective Feb. 23, succeeding Annette Vaccaro. The company said Pereira brings more than 26 years of global finance leadership experience, including roles at Nestlé.
Brewtifi App Launches Coffee-Place Discovery Map
Consumer coffee-focused app Brewtifi has released an interactive map feature called “Places,” allowing specialty coffee lovers to find and contribute information on cafes across major European cities.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Report: Climate Change Adding Weeks of ‘Coffee-Harming Heat’ in Major Growing Regions
A new analysis found that climate change has already added weeks of “coffee-harming” heat to the world’s main coffee-producing regions, threatening future supply and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder coffee farmers… read more
California Coffee Coffee Pioneers Jay and Kristen Ruskey Mourned
John “Jay” Ruskey and Kristen Ruskey, the married couple behind Good Land Organics and pioneers in the California-grown specialty coffee movement through Frinj Coffee, died on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Cambria, California… read more
New $1 Billion USDA Specialty Crop Bailout Includes Coffee, March 13 Deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $1 billion in one-time “bridge” aid for U.S. specialty crop producers, including coffee… read more
In Wake of India’s “Green Revolution,” Scientists Find Organic Soils Healthier
As concepts such as “regenerative” and “biodynamic” continue to enter the mainstream coffee lexicon, scientists continue to literally dig into the soil to give them meaning… read more
With Deep Experience, Simpl Coffee Makes it Look Easy in Manhattan
A pair of Ukrainian coffee chain veterans recently launched a new cafe brand in the United States called Simpl Coffee, with a second location now open in Midtown Manhattan… read more
Design Details: Paced Midcentury Modern at Fuglen Kyoto
The newest Japanese coffee bar from Norwegian-born specialty coffee brand Fuglen adapts a former neighborhood confectionery in Kyoto into a compact, street-facing coffee stand with a mid-century modern living room feel… read more
Mill City Roasters Unveils M-Series Machines with In-House Fabrication
Minneapolis-based Mill City Roasters recently unveiled its new flagship M-Series line of coffee roasters, available in 6-kilogram, 10-kilogram and 20-kilogram capacities… read more
