Categorized | Agriculture, Food

International coffee award at KCCF event (Nov. 13)

(Photo courtesy of Parmigiano-Reggiano)

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Coffee Farmers Association will share the rare Parmigiano-Reggiano International Recognition Award with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival at Makaeo County Pavilion (Old Airport) around 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

This honor to 100% Kona coffee comes to us on the 40th anniversary of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

Last Sunday evening, at an election celebration event, Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie was happy to hear of the award. He told association members, “I would like to help you pursue (Origin Certification).”

Parmigiano-Reggiano International Origin Recognition Award is given out only every other year at the International Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy.

Colehour Bondera, vice president of Kona Coffee Farmers Association, traveled to Italy to receive it Oct. 23 from Guiseppe Alai, president of the consortium of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

This is the fourth award ever given for an artisanal product working to protect its origin recognition. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese has struggled against competitors deceptively labeling their cheese “parmesan”.

The award has been given to Colombian coffee after they pursued European Union origin certification. Canadian Ice-Cider and Moroccan Aragan Oil were the other recipients.

Kona Coffee Farmers Association announces its intent to pursue origin certification for 100% Kona Coffee. The location of the specific terroir, as well as the growing and processing protocols, must be detailed for a P.D.O. (Product of Designated Origin).

An independent certifier then verifies these protocols are followed.

Whereas Kona coffee farmers organizations have created local certifications in the international certifications carry more authority, and will help with marketing on the US mainland, in Europe, and especially in Japan.

Kona coffee takes its place on the world stage of origin products. Parmigiano-Reggiano has a 1,000 year history of using the same process with turning its regions’ milk into its exceptional cheese.

Napa Valley wine is the first US product to start using the European Union P.D.O. origin certification. OriGIn, an international NGO from Geneva, Switzerland hopes that Kona Coffee will be the next US product to join protected artisanal products from around the globe.

Quotes:

Colehour Bondera, vice president, Kona Coffee Farmers Association: “Receiving this award on behalf of my fellow coffee farmers was such an honor. Traveling to Italy crystallized my understanding of how 100% Kona Coffee can take its place on the world stage as a unique, protected, origin product.”

Bruce Corker, president, Kona Coffee Farmers Association: “This award gives us the support to pursue Origin Certification such as the European Union PDO (Product of Designated Origin).”

Shelby Floyd, governor, Slow Food Hawaii: “The international organization, Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, selects traditional, artisanal products from unique terroir to protect and promote as Presidia. 100% Kona Coffee is currently under consideration.”

Massimo Vittori, general secretary, oriGIn, Geneva, Switzerland: “In recent years, the phenomenon of geographical indications has generated growing interest in the United States.”

Leo Bertozzi, director of the Consortium of Parmigiano-Reggiano, “Deceitful practices are also affecting Kona Coffee as is clear from the tough and unfair competition it is facing from a blend called ‘Kona Coffee Blend’, which contains only 10% Kona coffee mixed with coffee from other places, often of low quality. The award we are presenting is intended as a sign of solidarity with the Hawaiian producers.”

The Kona Coffee Farmers Association is a volunteer, non-profit, community-based organization of coffee farmers with the mission to promote and protect the economic interests of Kona coffee farmers who grow and sell 100% Kona coffee and to seek greater legal protection of the Kona coffee name.

— Find out more:
www.parmigianoreggiano.com
www.konacoffeefarmers.org
www.konacoffeefest.com

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