HOBOKEN, New Jersey – NKG PACE introduces the Open-Access Series, a free, monthly, public learning event designed to foster knowledge-sharing and professional development, particularly among BIPOC in the coffee industry. These live lectures, talks and conversations, while part of the annual NKG PACE curriculum, are being opened to the public in hopes of extending the program’s reach to more individuals who might benefit from the vast coffee knowledge of the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe.
“When it comes to learning about the supply chain that precedes roasting, it can be intimidating, and costly, to find serious learning opportunities. Nearly everyone we interviewed during the most recent application process mentioned this,” says NKG PACE Education Lead Amanda Armbrust-Asselin. “We took that feedback to heart and considered how we could open up the program’s curriculum to benefit more individuals alongside each NKG PACE cohort.”
The Open-Access Series will follow the monthly themes of the curriculum, which cover topics including sustainability, farm management, logistics, green coffee purchasing and how to be a better cupper. It will feature NKG colleagues from around the globe, as well as other coffee experts.
Open access series calendar preview
The Open Access Series will kick off July 10 at 11 ET with the below session. Subsequent sessions will be held monthly, with a more detailed calendar and sign-up information available on the NKG PACE website.
July 10, 11–12 ET: The Power of Processing
While the practice of farming includes numerous variables that impact a coffee’s outcome (soil composition, sunshine, precipitation, altitude, pests, humidity and fertilization, to name a few), once the fruit is off the plant, a producer faces a more controllable roster of processing decisions. In many instances, processing is the primary way that a producer can manipulate a harvest to create the best possible cup-quality outcome and farm-gate price.
Themes that will be discussed:
• Different processing methods and where and why they’re used.
• How quality is created through processing.
• The risks, costs and needs that dictate processing decisions.
Special guests will include:
• Gloria Pedroza, Head of Quality at NKG Quality Service in Switzerland
• Diego Guardia, third-generation coffee producer and trader at NKG exporter Ceca, in Costa Rica;
• Camila Khalife, an Ecuador-based coffee consultant and the Impact & Communications Lead with the Chain Collaborative
Register here to join the meeting.
Want to participate in the advancement of racial equity in the coffee industry? Please consider becoming an Open Access Series sponsor or check out other sponsorship opportunities here.
About NKG PACE
NKG PACE is a paid, one-year green-coffee training program and an endeavor of Neumann Gruppe USA and the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity. The program accepts up to three individuals per year and is open to Black Americans, a group that experiences the largest gap in employment and decision-making roles in the U.S. coffee industry. For more inflo click here.
About Neumann Kaffee Gruppe
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) is a globally operating green coffee service group, focusing on coffee only. In more than 60 companies in 27 countries, more than 3,200 highly skilled employees are active in the sectors Export & Milling, Import, Farming, Agents & Representative Offices, and Services. For more info click here.
About Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity
Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build greater racial diversity and equity in the U.S. coffee industry. Formed in July, 2020, against the backdrop of racial tension and social unrest throughout U.S. cities, the CCRE was born following the overwhelming response to Phyllis Johnson’s Open Letter to U.S. coffee professionals. For more info click here.
