The coffee market is massive, and changing every day.
Coffee organizations play a pivotal role in the growth and direction of the industry.
So, whether you are a professional or just a coffee fan, here are 10 U.S. coffee organizations you should know about.
By Jackalyn Beck.
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Being involved can also teach you a lot, no matter where you are in your coffee journey.
When I was a barista, I joined a local coffee cupping group.
Not only was it a lot of fun, but it also taught me a lot about coffee roasting and flavor profiles.
So, I’m naturally a big advocate for connecting with local coffee-related interest groups.
It is also a good idea to know about larger organizations, like the Specialty Coffee Association, because of the information they provide and the events they put on.
U.S. Coffee Organizations Coffee Professionals Should Know About
The United States is home to many coffee organizations, both big and small.
While some are directly involved in the coffee industry, like the Coffee Roasters Guild, there are also some coffee-related groups that play a large role in the market.
National Coffee Association
The National Coffee Association is a group that “represents the U.S. coffee industry from crop to cup.”
They do quite a bit of advocacy and keep up-to-date information on government policies that might impact the coffee market.
The National Coffee Association is an especially great resource for coffee shop owners since they post many free educational resources for members.
Those resources include things like their on-demand webinars and updated market research.
The group also puts on an annual convention that can be a great opportunity for coffee professionals to network.
The NCA also has some sub groups or categories, like the Science Leadership Council.
Specialty Coffee Association of America
If you have ever heard of the U.S. coffee championships, you have the Specialty Coffee Association to thank.
The SCA is arguably the most influential coffee organization in America because of its involvement with both professionals and consumers.
Not only have their competitions become the gold standard, but they are also active on social media and make information readily available to consumers and businesses.
They even have a coffee skills program that isn’t free but offers a wide range of educational courses.
The SCA also encompasses a few smaller groups that host their own events and otherwise impact the coffee world.
Because of this, they are an especially good group for baristas and business owners to be involved in.
Coffee Roasters Guild
The Coffee Roasters Guild is a subsidiary of the Specialty Coffee Association and, by extension, is also based in the United States.
This group hosts an annual retreat and many educational events for roasters.
The Coffee Roasters Guild is probably most known for the World Coffee Roasting Championship that lets people from all over the world compete to see who is the best at roasting coffee.
Barista Guild
The Specialty Coffee Association is very prolific and the Barista Guild is one of its other branches.
But, like the Roasters Guild, it works like a stand-alone organization with its own events and is targeted to (you guessed it) baristas.
As a former barista myself, this is possibly one of my favorite organizations on this list.
While I never became a member, I used quite a few of their free resources and have been enthralled with the idea of competing in throw downs and the World Barista Championship.
You can also check your local area for groups called barista guilds.
They may or may not be associated with the group but they are still worth checking out.
World Coffee Research
World Coffee Research is technically based out of the United States of America and does business globally.
As their name suggests, they are very focused on research and innovation.
As such, World Coffee Research does a lot of sustainability work and are trying to find solutions to many long-term problems the coffee industry faces.
Not only do they do standard research, but they also do field tests and work to breed various varieties of coffee.
If you are interested in learning more about the latest innovations in coffee growing and sustainability, I definitely recommend checking out the resource page from the World Coffee Research.
Coffee Quality Institute
The Coffee Quality Organization is a hub for Q graders based in Aliso Viejo, California.
Q grading can be quite intense and is increasingly important, and that’s where the Coffee Quality Institute comes in.
The Coffee Quality Institute provides education and certification for people who are interested in the art of coffee quality evaluation.
Certification is especially valuable to specialty coffee shops that want to showcase their dedication to coffee excellence.
Coffee Fest
Coffee Fest is an organization that oversees multiple yearly events in various locations across the United States.
Their main function is to run events and trade shows that are directed towards coffee professionals.
Most of their festivals are open to the public at select times and feature exhibits on everything from the latest in brewing technology to coffee-based mixed drinks.
They put on around for festivals each year at various locations.
If you are a coffee professional or are otherwise in the beverage industry, you should definitely check out this organization and their events.
Fair Trade America
Whether you are a coffee shop owner, or even just a casual tea drinker, you should know about the Fair Trade Association.
You are probably already somewhat familiar with the label and what they stand for, but the group also puts out a lot of information about their standards and various free resources about getting certified.
Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association is based out of Washington, D.C.
While this is a general organization rather than a coffee specific one, it’s interesting to know that there is an organization specifically dedicated to organic products.
They also provide free access to market analysis reports and various other resources that can be very valuable to coffee shop owners.
Other Coffee Organizations Based In The United States
While there are many large U.S. coffee organizations, there are also smaller groups, like the Green Coffee Association Of New York and The Pacific Coast Coffee Association.
If you want more information about organizations you should be involved in, I recommend asking other local coffee professionals.
That might lead you to an association or even just a local tasting group.
Many areas have their own form of a baristas guild or coffee roasting club and being a part of them can be very educational.
If you don’t know other coffee professionals in your area, I recommend checking out groups on Facebook or even see if there are events or festivals where you can network.
Being connected with coffee organizations can give you great opportunities to grow your business and learn.
Photos by Lil Artsy, Gedsarts and Lisa Fotios.
