Mr. Espresso is proud to announce, our Organic Ethiopia Shantawene Natural has been named a finalist for the Good Food Awards 2021

What an honor! The Good Food Awards, beginning its eleventh year, celebrates delicious, well-crafted foods that are produced with the highest values of social and environmental responsibility. They are selected from across the American craft food community.

Mr. Espresso’s Organic Ethiopia Shantawene, Natural, is among the 2021 slate of 25 coffee finalists. This beautiful, sustainably produced coffee comes from Ethiopia’s award-winning Daye Bensa Coffee, founded by brothers Asefa and Mulugeta Dukamo in 2006. Daye Bensa is located in the Sidama Region. A portion of this coffee lot was grown on Bensa’s organic farm in the Shantawene Village and the balance came from nearby small-acreage “out-growers”, at elevations of up to 7,874 feet. The elevation of the coffee, combined with weather, soil, and climate, allow for a longer growing time, which in turn allows the coffee to absorb more nutrients, contributing to the robust flavors that these beans deliver.

Daye Bensa’s growers, including the “out-grower” partners, employ organic farming methods that have sustained the region’s rich coffee production for hundreds of years. We chose to partner with Bensa due to their commitment to ensure coffee that offers high-quality, sustainability, and traceability. We also value their work on new initiatives that focus on women farmers and on coffee quality research through the local university.

Our relationship with the Daye Bensa organization and the production of this coffee directly reflect the commitment of our green coffee buyer, VP of Coffee John Di Ruocco. John holds high standards for Mr. Espresso coffees, equally valuing the importance of sustainable coffee production and delivering a premium quality product.

It’s no wonder that John’s coffees have included a Good Food Award Winner in 2017 as well as Good Food Awards for his own Jack Rabbit Olive Oil. John is also fortunate to have a roasting team that hold strong these same values.

This year’s Good Food Awards ceremony will be live streamed on Friday, January 22nd, followed by a “virtual mercantile” for winning companies launching on Monday, January 25th.

Stay tuned to find out more!

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