Coffee Assosiations

Dean

Dear Star Seeker Has the direction of this thread struck a bit of a nerve? Some bold assumptions are being made here about how you think some of us are benefiting from the industry. Your use of the term "Movement" paints a pretty gloomy picture of how how you view the future of the coffee industry. History tells us that many "movements" ultimately end up with a tyrant dictator who's only ambition is to rule the world. More power to the simple people who just like drinking good fresh coffee. ...And I assume that's also what AASCA wants... everyone striving to achieve great coffee for the coffee consumer. The problem as I see it is that there is no genuine attempt by AASCA to define the sectors within the industry and no recognition at all that a single representative group (or movement) for all the different sectors is probably inappropriate. To Fresh Coffee: My intake goes a little like this Get out of bed - a double with a dash Get to work - a double pulled short. Sometime later - a double pulled short. Everything in moderation DGC

john_2

🙂 This topic has been out of the limelight for some time. AASCA has an AGM and SGM on this Friday for those interested. ??? ??? ??? JD 8)

admin

'Revived' topic -Admin

FreshCoffee2

Is AASCA still going? Who are the office holders these days??? Cheers, FC

admin

Not sure - actually John's probably the best person to ask for an update on this...John? -A

john_2

Admin and FC I am not sure who is on the current committee. The last I heard there was an AGM to be held back in August. I do not know as to what the outcome of the AGM was. I checked the AASCA web site last week, there was no current information. Also I am no longer a financial member. For more info, maybe click onto the web and send AASCA an email. Sorry I could not offer more info. JD

Carmelina

If you looking for a relevant association: ACTA (Australaian Coffee Traders Assosciation) http://www.acta.org.au/ Hope this helps!

john_2

Carmelina Who are the ACTA Do you have any experience with them???? JD

Carmelina

We have joined them recently - The jury is still out on their effectiveness as we have not had a lot to do with them yet but as far as I can tell they are the only relevant assoc in the country! I will keep you updated.

FreshCoffee2

Hello Carmelina, I'm interested in your thoughts regarding the comment: "....as far as I can tell they are the only relevant assoc in the country!...." Would you care to elaborate? Cheers, FC.

john_2

Carmelina Could you also give a list of a few of the members. I went to the web site, but had trouble finding out who the members are. JD

Carmelina

No judgement intended. Please accept my apologies if I have offended anyone. I just haven't been able to find any other associations. Located AASCA via your forum and interested in finding others.

Carmelina

Carmelina Could you also give a list of a few of the members. I went to the web site, but had trouble finding out who the members are. JD

Members include roasters, wholesalers, equipment supply & service: My coffee shop Belaroma Coffee Bravo Coffee Bo-Ema Coffee Mio Green Bean coffee Tasmanian Coffee Roasters The Bean Alliance This is an extract only and by no means exhausts the list. CP

FreshCoffee2

Carmelina, I dont think anyone is offended, I for one just asked an innocent (who me?) question regarding what I took to be a legitimate sentiment expressed in your post. Always interested to know others thoughts on the available associations. John, my limited understanding is: that ACTA has been around a long time and it is/was mainly a loose grouping of green bean importers and larger roasters. AASCA was a "split off" from ACTA when some did not agree with others regarding the direction of the asscoiation (possibly that some new members wanted to take it in the direction of SCAA and others didn't...enter the birth of AASCA). ACTA have been trying to broaden their membership base by seeking to involve more of the "smaller" roasters. That's about all I know I hope (for the benefit of others reading this) that my limited understanding is not an incorrect representation of the facts. I have never been a member of either, therefore my own question as per above. OK disclaimers ended! Cheers, FC.

Carmelina

:-X I meant was that I hadn't been able to locate any other assoc. .😉 Thanks for the update - are there any other assoc's besides these two? CP

FreshCoffee2

Not that I am aware of. FC.

admin

Hi guys - thought i'd try to give a summary, as far as my (limited) knowledge is concerned...apparently ACTA has been around for a long time, & was pretty much an association representing the interests of the large roasters, on issues such as GST on green beans, etc - ie with a very narrow range of interests. AASCA was started by a few people who left ACTA with the intention to pretty much 'mimic' the SCAA in the US, along with an intention to offer more to smaller roasters (i understand), as well as baristas - they managed to get the rights to the 'official' Australian entrant to the annual World Barista Championships. Apparently there were some pretty big egos involved, to the extent that some people complained that this got in the way of the association's objectives...however, some of these 'egos' may recently have left. Other info/updates anyone? Admin PS Carmelina - isn't two coffee associations enough? 😉

john_2

Admin, FC et al I think that one Coffee Association representing the whole Coffee Industry should be enough. The Association should be National with various State off-shoots. To cater for the various interest groups eg growers, roasters, bean importers, baristas etc, there could or should be separate interest groups. The Association should also have it own national conference, instead of tagging onto other irrelevant events. OK who is going to put this show on the road??? I supose this is the burning question. Until the persons involved in the Australian Coffee Industry actually realise that there is an Australian Coffee Industry, it will never happen. JD

Carmelina

JD, Are we talking about starting a new association from scratch with all of the "right" parameters, guidlines and goals being set from day dot, or do you mean revamping one of the existing two? Also are you stepping up to the plate? CP

john_2

CP I do not know about starting a new Association. Maybe one of the existing ones could look at representing the whole industry. The groundwork has already been done. Maybe it just has to be taken to the next level. It would need a commitment from more than just me to put the show on the road. JD

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