Specialty Coffee Association

30/09/2020

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a nonprofit, membership-based association built on foundations of openness, inclusivity, and the power of shared knowledge. From coffee farmers to baristas and roasters, our community spans the globe, encompassing every element of the coffee value chain. SCA acts as a unifying force within the specialty coffee industry and works to make coffee better by raising standards worldwide through a collaborative and progressive approach. Dedicated to building an industry that is fair, sustainable, and nurturing for all, SCA draws on years of insights and inspiration from the specialty coffee community.

Donors/Partners

Not applicable

Key activities

The SCA’s key activities include a portfolio of more than 30 coffee events annually, which range in size from conferences for 150 people to exhibitions in Europe and the US drawing between 12,000 and 15,000 unique visitors; a comprehensive coffee education programme offering multiple pathways and levels for coffee professionals at every stage of their careers; and research and reports on subjects ranging from sensory perception to farm labor conditions.

Signature projects/tools

In 2018, the SCA republished a series of critical issue papers on food security, water security, climate change, gender equality, and farm labour. In2019, the majority of SCA’s sustainability efforts in the past 12 months have centered on its coffee price crisis response (PCR) initiative. Additionally, they launched a Coffee Sustainability Program through their Education Department and continue to integrate sustainability knowledge into their exhibitions and conferences, and communications to their global audience (webinars, for example).

Priority Countries and corresponding areas of activities

The SCA has not formally identified priority (producing) countries, though they have stronger networks with more community members in some, usually as a result of the institutions present, in a particular geography and/or the importance of higher quality, price-premium-receiving specialty coffee to its overall coffee sector.