Welcome to DCN’s Weekly Coffee News! Subscribe here for all the latest coffee industry news. Also, check out the latest career opportunities at CoffeeIndustryJobs.com.
“Sign at the entrance to the Kauaʻi Coffee Company” by Famartin is shared via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Kauai Coffee Delays Potential Layoffs as Lease Talks Continue
Kauai Coffee says it has issued an updated WARN notice delaying potential terminations for 136 employees to April 18-May 2, after previously warning layoffs could occur March 14-28. The company, which is owned by Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA and operates the largest coffee farm in the U.S., is currently negotiating the lease with landowner Brue Baukol Capital Partners.
Law Firm Seeking Clients for IEEPA Tariff Refund Claims
McSweeney Langevin, LLC issued a release saying it is seeking to represent importers and businesses before the U.S. Court of International Trade to pursue refunds tied to tariffs collected under IEEPA that the Supreme Court struck down on Feb. 20. In related court filings cited by Reuters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it collected about $166 billion in duties and deposits under the IEEPA tariffs.
Cause of Death Determined for Frinj Coffee’s Jay and Kristen Ruskey
The Santa Barbara Independent reported that Frinj Coffee founders John “Jay” Ruskey and Kristen Ruskey died from carbon monoxide poisoning after an accidental leak at a home in Cambria, California, where they were found February 8.
Morgan Eckroth Opens Preorders for Coffee, For Here
2022 U.S. Barista Champion Morgan Eckroth has opened preorders for Coffee, For Here, a new book positioned as an at-home coffee guide covering brewing methods, coffee history and cafe-style recipes, with QR-code video walkthroughs tied to techniques and drinks.
Ikape Announces Global Release of K2 PRO Portable Espresso Machine
Ikape has announced the K2 PRO, a portable espresso machine that features Bluetooth app connectivity, compatibility with 58-millimeter commercial baskets, pre-infusion controls and user-adjustable parameters such as temperature and extraction time.
Reuters: Sao Paulo’s “Largest Urban Coffee Plantation” Adds 1,500 Plants
Brazil’s Biological Institute has added about 1,500 new coffee plants at what Reuters reported as the world’s largest urban coffee plantation, located in Sao Paulo’s Vila Mariana neighborhood. Researchers are studying resistance to pests, coffee rust, drought and climate pressures.
Royal Coffee / The Crown Hosting Origin-Focused Photography Exhibit
Oakland-based green coffee company Royal Coffee is hosting a public photography exhibit at The Crown with works from nine photographers living or working in coffee-producing countries. Participating photographers have agreed to donate either a portion or all of the proceeds from photography sales to Grounds for Health. Royal has been leading a related fundraising effort for the nonprofit throughout this month.
Dalla Corte and Franke Named Sponsors for 2026 U.S. Barista Championship in Denver
Organizers of the U.S. Coffee Championships announced Dalla Corte North America as an official machine sponsor for the 2026 U.S. Barista Championship in Denver, while Franke Coffee Systems was named the official calibration machine sponsor with its Mytico line.
Westrock Coffee Reports 2025 Results with 2026 Outlook
Westrock Coffee Company released fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, showing net sales of $1.2 billion, up 39.8% compared to the prior year, and a net loss of $90.4 million.
Bellwether Expands Green Coffee Marketplace to 30+ Coffees
Electric roaster maker Bellwether Coffee says it has expanded its Green Coffee Marketplace to include more than 30 coffees, and launched a European Marketplace. The California company says it now serves customers in 26 countries and 40 U.S. states.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Opinion: On Sugar-Laden Coffee in the MAHA Crosshairs
At Daily Coffee News, we see a lot of press releases… read more
Royal Cup Moves to Acquire Farmer Brothers in All-Cash Deal
Alabama’s Royal Cup Coffee & Tea plans to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. in an all-cash deal that would take the publicly traded Texas-based company private… read more
Coffee Confessionals Invites Guests to Spill the Beans in LA
Bucking a national trend toward quick service among isolated customers, a community-driven cafe in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, called Coffee Confessionals is wholeheartedly embracing creativity, conversation and connection… read more
Burger Study Explores Coffee Pulp Powder as Beef Fat Replacement
New research proposes a potential secret ingredient in a classic comfort food, the burger: rehydrated coffee cherry pulp powder… read more
Intelligentsia Enters Fast Lane with Santa Monica Drive-Through
Drivers seeking quick pick-me-ups in Santa Monica gained a surprising option this month as Intelligentsia Coffee opened its first drive-through coffee bar… read more
USDA Report Projects Growth of Brazilian Specialty Coffee Despite Market Whiplash
As the Brazilian specialty coffee industry continues to build infrastructure and gain global visibility, it is also being tested by the same forces affecting the broader coffee trade, including U.S. tariff whiplash, tight supplies and changing demands of large buyers… read more
U.N. Officially Designates Oct. 1 International Coffee Day
The United Nations has officially designated Oct. 1 as International Coffee Day, giving the long-running coffee holiday formal UN status for the first time… read more
