TORONTO, ON – Nestlé Nespresso has announced the “Marketing Nespresso” event, set to take place on September 9th from 12.30 pm to 1:45 pm EST. Interested students and graduates are encouraged to register to secure their spots.
The “Marketing Nespresso” event is specifically planned for marketing students and recent graduates. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of marketing within the food and beverage industry.
Participants will also learn about internship and entry-level opportunities at Nestlé Nespresso, making this event particularly beneficial for those looking to jumpstart their careers.
The webinar will be hosted virtually using the vFairs platform with the support of the vFairs team.
“We are glad to provide event technology to power events like Marketing Nespresso that provide aspiring marketers an invaluable chance to network with industry professionals and learn about the unique opportunities available at the company.” shared Muhammad Younas, CEO vFairs.
What sets the “Marketing Nespresso” event apart is its focus on networking with seasoned marketers and exploring career opportunities at one of the world’s leading coffee brands.
Attendees will gain first-hand knowledge of the marketing strategies that drive success at Nestlé Nespresso and have the chance to connect directly with company representatives.
DES MOINES, Iowa, USA – BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages, the specialty coffee and tea social enterprise, is excited to announce its partnership with entrepreneur, legendary Hall of Fame athlete, and esteemed coach, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, who joins the company as co-owner and social change leader.
Coach Prime, known for his transformative impact both on and off the field, found a kindred spirit in BLK & Bold’s mission to brew positive change through coffee. Inspired by the brand’s dedication to social impact, Sanders saw a unique opportunity to collaborate and amplify BLK & Bold’s efforts in empowering underserved communities. A man of routine and discipline, Coach Prime starts his mornings with a cup of BLK & Bold, a ritual that fuels his day with the same drive and focus he demands on the field. His connection to the brand is anchored in shared values of community empowerment and excellence.
“Joining BLK & Bold is more than just a business move for me—it’s about making a LASTING IMPACT,” said Coach Prime. “I’ve always believed in the power of giving back and uplifting others, and with BLK & Bold, we have the perfect platform to do just that.”
Founded in 2018 by Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, BLK & Bold has experienced explosive growth, evolving from a small garage operation and e-commerce site to being featured in over 11,000 retail stores, including major chains like Albertsons, Target, Amazon, Walgreens and Giant. All products are also available on the brand’s website at blkandbold.com. The certified B Corp brand has secured its place on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for two consecutive years. Beyond its tremendous growth, the brand continues to disrupt the coffee industry with its social impact model, consistently pledging 5% of gross profits to initiatives aimed at empowering underserved youth and communities.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Prime to the BLK & Bold family,” said Pernell Cezar, Co-Founder and CEO of BLK & Bold. “His commitment to excellence, passion for positive change, and unparalleled influence align perfectly with our values and vision. Together, we aim to inspire, educate, and drive meaningful impact within our communities.”
As an active co-owner and partner, Coach Prime will be directly involved in amplifying BLK & Bold’s commitment to reshaping the coffee industry. With a focus on marketing, creative, business development, and strategic partnerships, he will work closely with Cezar and Johnson to further their vision of an inclusive and impactful brand. At the heart of this collaboration is the shared belief in delivering a quality brew that energizes consumers and also drives meaningful change. The partnership will also be followed by campaigns that tap into the values of the social enterprise and engage consumers through storytelling and community involvement.
“From the very beginning, our vision for BLK & Bold was not just about creating and selling coffee and tea products, but also about brewing positive change in the communities that need it most,” said Rod Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Values Officer. “The addition of Coach Prime to our team is a special moment for us. We recognize and applaud his efforts to provide safe spaces and opportunities for underserved youth, and it is an honor to continue serving our community together.”
In 2024, the company launched the BLK & Bold Foundation, further solidifying its commitment to creating sustainable and impactful change.
Customers can indulge in the limited-time Coca-Cola® OREOTM Zero Sugar Slurpee drink flavor in participating stores now (picture provided)
IRVING, Texas, USA – 7-Eleven, Inc. is launching a new Slurpee drink flavor: Coca-Cola OREOTM Zero Sugar, exclusively available at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide. This unexpected flavor combination caps off this year’s exciting Slurpee season, including the brand’s annual Slurpee Day celebration.
The new Slurpee drink flavor release is inspired by Coca-Cola and OREO’s upcoming launch of two limited-time treats: Coca-Cola OREOTM Zero Sugar and the OREO Coca-ColaTM Sandwich Cookie, both available at 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide. The Coca-Cola OREO Zero Sugar Slurpee drink is an exciting spin on the fan-favorite Coca-Cola Slurpee, combining the classic taste of a crisp and fizzy Coca-Cola with flavorful, OREO sandwich cookie-inspired hints.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Coca-Cola and OREO to create a one-of-a-kind Slurpee drink experience that delights and excites our consumers,” said Dennis Phelps, Senior Vice President, Merchandising (Vault and Proprietary Beverage) at 7-Eleven, Inc. “We’re bringing together the snack aisle and the Slurpee drink machine to give everyone a reason to head to our stores for a delicious, unforgettable moment.”
To celebrate the magic of a friendship like Coca-Cola and OREO teaming up, one Dallas-area 7-Eleven store will host a one-of-a-kind tasting experience: The Besties Restie Stop. Few things bring besties closer like all the hours they spend together in the car.
And for these types of drives, 7-Eleven offers a moment of relief, refreshment and recharge. Fans can visit the 7-Eleven store at 13635 Preston Rd in Dallas on Saturday, September 14 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time to taste the Coca-Cola OREO Zero Sugar Slurpee drink and spend quality time with their bestie. The event will also feature limited edition Slurpee collectibles like cups with a Slurpee dollop lid and bestie straws.
Customers across the country can have their Slurpee drinks delivered directly to their door with the 7NOW Delivery app in the U.S. The delivery service is accessible throughout the U.S. with real time tracking to let customers know their order status. The 7NOW Delivery app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting 7Rewards.com.
MILAN — Robusta coffee futures fell sharply yesterday, Monday 2 September, as New York was closed for the Labor Day holiday. In London, the Ice Robusta contract for November delivery lost $248 or -5%, plunging to $4,700, its lowest since 21 August. Profit taking in an overbought market caused the heavy fall in prices.
However, prices continue to benefit from strong support from tight supplies and weather conditions in Vietnam and Indonesia.
The Arabica market is focused on the Brazilian weather, in particular the arrival of rains later this month, which will start the flowering season of the new crop.
Meanwhile, a new report from Cepea shows that the CEPEA/ESALQ indicator for Robusta coffee reached new all-time highs in August, outperforming the Arabica indicator. It is the second time that is happening in Cepea’s historical series, that runs from November 2001. The first time was between October 2016 and January 2017.
High prices – for both Arabica and Robusta – and a favourable exchange rate favour Brazil’s exports, despite the ongoing logistical difficulties.
The entry into force of the new anti-deforestation regulations continues to boost exports to EU countries.
Cecafé will publish its export data for the month of August next week. The third official estimate of Brazil’s 2024/25 crop from government agency Conab will be released on 19 September.
Bad news from Honduran exports. In fact, exports from Central America’s top producer fell by 19.4% to 321,303 bags in August.
This brings the total for the first 11 months of the 2023/24 coffee year to 4.53 million bags, down 11.7% from the same period in 2022/23.
SAO PAULO, Brazil – Prices for robusta coffee have been in an upward trend since the last quarter of 2023, hitting records in March 2024 that have been renewed since then, says CEPEA in its latest report. On August 30, the CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the robusta coffee type 6 closed at BRL 1,483.95 per 60-kilo bag, for an increase of 16.73% in relation to that registered on July 31.
It is a new record for the Index, considering Cepea series, which has started in November/2001 (values were deflated by the IGP-DI July/24).
Price rises are related to the possible limited supply in Vietnam and to the restricted production in Brazil, since the 2024/25 season was below the potential.
Robusta quotations surpassed arabica values on Aug. 30. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the arabica coffee type 6, delivered in São Paulo, closed at BRL 1,448.24 per 60-kilo bag on August 30, upping 2.28% compared to that on July 31. Therefore, the gap between values of both varieties is at 35.71 Reais per bag.
Both international and domestic prices of arabica coffee oscillated sharply in late August. The cold wave that hit crops in Mogiana Paulista and in Cerrado Mineiro concerned players, a scenario that boosted quotations in some moments; however, there were only a few damages in some specific areas.
After the cold wave, coffee growers are now focused on the dry weather. The volume of rainfall has been lower than necessary since April.
RIMINI, Italy – CONFIDA – Italian Vending Service Association – has chosen Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) as a strategic partner in the development of the ´Venditalia´ show, the vending industry´s main European exhibition. A new company has therefore been created to organise the future editions of Venditalia in Rimini and to oversee its product and international development.
Hence, as of spring 2026, Venditalia will be held in the halls of Rimini Expo Centre.
The agreement signed between Italian Exhibition Group and Venditalia, represented in person by President Ernesto Piloni, and with the unanimous approval of the Expo Centre´s Board and CONFIDA´s Shareholders, marks the start of the procedure for setting up a NewCo by autumn, 51% owned by IEG and 49% by Confida, which, as of 2026, will be responsible for the biennial organisation of ´Venditalia – The vending expo´, the leading international vending service exhibition, a sector that deals with the automatic distribution of food, drinks and a growing number of products.
Founded in Genoa in 1998, ´Venditalia´ has continued to grow and attract more and more industry professionals. In 2004 it received the status of ´international´ event and this year, having reached its thirteenth edition, it achieved significant numbers: 32,000 square metres of exhibition space, 300 exhibitors (40% of which international, mainly from France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom) and 22,300 trade visitors.
In addition to offering the widest range of vending machines, products and services for vending, Venditalia also features a full programme of meetings and conferences that delve into the sector´s main challenges and opportunities.
These results and prominence are also supported by the fact that Italy is the vending industry´s European leader: in 2023, the sector recorded a total turnover of 2 billion euros (vending and Office Coffee Service), dispensed 5 billion consumptions, generated an employment spin-off of more than 33,000 people, included more than 3,000 companies and saw more than 830,000 vending machines installed (the largest fleet in Europe).
Added to these numbers are other companies involved in the supply chain, such as food producers and manufacturers of accessories and technology. In regard to the latter, Italy holds supremacy: 70% of the machines produced are exported as are many vending machine accessories.
´We are extremely satisfied with this agreement,´ commented IEG President Maurizio Ermeti. ´It will allow us to stage a new international event in Rimini, the sector´s most important in Europe. And we are proud that CONFIDA, an association linked to the Confcommercio world and a leader in the sector, has appreciated our expertise as trade show organisers and chosen us as a strategic partner with which to give continuity and a further opportunity to develop an event that is already a sector leader. In fact, IEG´s decision aims at developing ´Venditalia – The Vending Expo´ both at a national and international level. For this reason, a workgroup of people from IEG will be engaged in supporting the event´s historic team in order to deploy a series of evolutionary elements and new entries already at the 2026 edition by developing both the product and internationalisation aspects.´
´After several years of success and development,´ commented Ernesto Piloni, President of Venditalia, ´we stopped to think and, with the firm intention to continue Venditalia´s growth, we looked for a new partner to work with and IEG was the best possible choice due to the strategic prospects it offers. The synergy that has been created between us will be fundamental for continuing to consolidate Venditalia´s importance in the markets that we already preside over, such as Italy and Europe, but it will also be particularly fundamental for debuting in new international markets in the future, thus giving even more visibility to the incredible technological and product innovations that the Italian and European vending sector offers.´
Rimini Expo Centre (photo granted)
Confida
Established on 13 July 1979, CONFIDA is the only trade association on a national level to represent the different product sectors of the entire food and beverage vending industry. It is a member of Confcommercio – Imprese per l´Italia and, within the EU, is a partner of EVA (European Vending & Coffee Service Association).
PARIS – From 7 to 9 September, the Parc Floral de Paris will once again be bringing together the key players in the sector, from beans to cup. Astoria will be there to Hall Pinede 3, stand F17 – F20 to offer visitors and enthusiasts new taste and design experiences, thanks to the Plus4You Advantage, which will be the star of the stand.
This machine is the winning combination of avant-garde and experience. Through the perfect combination of materials, functionality and aesthetics come together in a machine where brilliance predominates, while the solidity of steel gives its lines a timeless character.
Astoria at the Paris Coffee Show
Ergonomics is one of the key features of the Plus4You Advantage, which has been designed to ensure maximum dexterity for the professional barista. The service display has been placed in the central part of the machine, so that all the necessary information is easily accessible at all times. The quick-lift cup rack makes it possible to change from a high group height to a standard group height, ensuring the ideal solution for any type of jug or cup.
The interface has been completely redesigned, with an incredibly smart touch screen and new, larger selection buttons that coordinate with the steam buttons. The machine is also available in two different versions: multi-boiler and single-boiler. The Plus4You Advantage can be fitted with the new Autosteamer wand, which heats and froths the milk automatically. Thanks to an internal probe, the frothing level can be adjusted precisely and the temperature of the milk easily detected.
The machine will be accompanied by the ASI40 Touch, featuring an innovative 3.5 touch screen display and intuitive user interface.
With a hopper capacity of 1.2 kg and 65 mm flat burrs , the ASI40 Touch features a LED light that perfectly illuminates the work area and a USB-C port under the display that makes software updates and Display customisation even quicker and easier. It also features a cooling fan that can be adjusted from the display and forced-air intakes on the base, to prevent overheating and ensure maximum performance at all times.
Astoria is looking forward to welcoming visitors to Hall Pinede 3, stand F17 – F20, to present one of the products that best showcases the two souls of the brand: tradition and the future.
HAMBURG, Germany – NKG recognizes that the health and well-being of all of its stakeholders are essential not only for their prosperity but also for the company’s long-term success. Therefore, NKG strives to ensure that everyone involved in bringing coffee from farm to cup can achieve a sustainable livelihood while preserving the environment everybody relies on.
Group CEO David M. Neumann emphasizes: “Our primary focus remains ensuring that our operations are resilient while upholding our historic commitment to the producers we do business with. Our vision is to foster a sustainable coffee supply chain where all stakeholders can thrive.”
Guided by this responsibility, its core values and upcoming industry developments, the group launched the NKG Responsible Business Program (RBP) in 2020. The RBP defines four focus areas and nine strategic objectives for NKG’s work, building a robust framework for the group’s sustainability efforts. The structure of the report is organized according to these areas.
This year’s Sustainability Report focuses on NKG’s commitment to sustainable supply chains, detailing the company’s efforts and successes in the reporting period January to December 2023 (unless otherwise stated) to implement its sustainability strategy.
“With over 300 colleagues dedicated to sustainability worldwide, we are confident in our ability to tackle future challenges and drive meaningful change in our supply chains”, says Group COO Ruben Scholz. “We view this report as an opportunity to share our progress, contribute to the ongoing discourse in the coffee sector, and cordially invite everyone to join us on this journey.”
While the previous Sustainability Report in 2022 laid the groundwork for the group’s ongoing environmental efforts, NKG has now calculated its Corporate Carbon Footprint, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, for the third time and has defined its baseline for emission reductions. Based on this work, the group headquartered in Hamburg, Germany has also developed its very first Climate Action Plan.
MUMBAI, India – Verlinvest, a global, family-backed evergreen investment firm, has led a significant investment of US$35 million in Blue Tokai, India’s leading specialty coffee and bakery brand. This strategic partnership will empower Blue Tokai to deepen its presence in existing metro markets and expand into new Tier I & II cities in India over next three years. The Series C funding round also saw participation from existing investors Anicut Capital and A91 Partners.
Founded in 2013, Blue Tokai is pioneering India’s specialty coffee movement. Led by co-founders Matt Chitharanjan, Namrata Asthana and Shivam Shahi, Blue Tokai has more than doubled its store count in the last year to 130 outlets currently, delivering a range of specialty coffee products and artisanal bakery goods. The newly acquired funds will be used to expand to over 350 locations in the next 30-36 months, drive new product innovation, and expand to new channels.
Arjun Anand, Managing Director & Head of Asia, Verlinvest said, “We are thrilled to partner with Blue Tokai in their mission to bring specialty coffee to millions across India. Matt, Namrata, and Shivam have brilliantly crafted a cult brand known for its exceptional products and customer experience. Together, we are committed to elevating Blue Tokai to new heights, creating India’s leading coffee chain and delighting consumers with unparalleled quality and service.”
Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder and CEO, Blue Tokai said, “With this latest funding, we have the opportunity to bring our passion for coffee to even more people. We will utilize these funds to accelerate our expansion across all channels – from our own cafes to B2B and B2C platforms. By introducing innovative coffee product offerings through new producers, we will enable ourselves to reach new consumers with varied offerings and continue delivering consistent coffee experiences. Our focus remains to provding exceptional coffee experiences while fostering sustainable growth.”
Verlinvest has a proven track record of successfully scaling consumer brands in India, including Lahori, Epigamia, Heads Up For Tails and Wakefit. The firm’s investment in Blue Tokai demonstrates the ongoing commitment to the Indian market, which presents strong growth opportunities in the consumer ecosystem. This partnership is also further illustrative of Verlinvest’s focus on supporting high-quality F&B brands globally, including notable investments with Insomnia Cookies and Tony’s Chocolonely.
JAKARTA, Indonesia – Flash Coffee, the tech-enabled coffee chain, is excited to announce significant growth in Indonesia, the geographic focus for the company over the last half year, a new food and drink menu featuring exciting new products, and multiple new store openings planned across Jakarta and Bandung.
The expansion of its menu and physical locations highlights Flash Coffee’s commitment to delivering exceptional coffee experiences in Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia’s most promising economies with a growing appetite for quality coffee.
Flash Coffee now operates 67 stores in Indonesia and is progressing with further expansion across the market. Flash Coffee has increased its revenue per store by over 50% since early 2024 and reached operational profitability thanks to its new menu.
This impressive growth has been driven by the group’s vision and decision to focus on the Indonesian market, following the closure of Flash Coffee in other Asian markets and the successful sale and transformation into a franchise of Flash Coffee in Thailand.
“We have been excited about Indonesia and its potential since we opened our very first Flash Coffee store in Jakarta in January 2020”, said David Brunier, Founder and CEO of Flash Coffee. “Thanks to the support of our loyal customer base and our strategic refocus on Indonesia as the group’s most mature market, we are now expanding our footprint in the country, with plans to add many new stores to our portfolio within the next 12 months. We’re just getting started.”
Each new store is designed to offer a unique coffee experience, featuring Flash Coffee’s signature drinks like Seasalt Palm Sugar Latte or Whipped Strawberry Matcha, user-friendly digital ordering on its proprietary app, and its new larger store concept with welcoming sit-and-stay design encouraging customers to stay and socialise.
In addition to the continued commitment of Flash Coffee’s founders Sebastian Hannecker and David Brunier, White Star Capital has appointed Jakob Angele, Venture Partner at White Star Capital and former CEO foodpanda, who was instrumental in growing foodpanda to USD5.5 billion transaction volume, to operationally support the growth of Flash Coffee leveraging his extensive expertise in F&B and the online food delivery industry.
“We’re extremely pleased to see the recent changes and our hyper-focus on Indonesia to translate into tangible business success. I am very excited about what the future will hold for Flash Coffee,” said Jakob Angele, Executive Chairman of Flash Coffee and Venture Partner at White Star Capital. “Indonesia is one of the most exciting and vibrant coffee markets worldwide. Flash Coffee is uniquely positioned to serve its growing demand for high-quality coffee.”
