News and Resources Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and volunteers of the Specialty Coffee Association have come together to gather a growing list of resources for specialty coffee professionals. Browse this page to find a database of free resources, information on surveys conducted during the pandemic, expert advice for coffee businesses, and much more.
COVID-19 Resource Database
Browse our database of COVID-19 resources submitted by members of the global coffee community. The database includes resources related to government subsidies, the latest scientific research, community support mechanisms, and general business resources.
Science of COVID-19 Safety for Coffee Businesses
In response to the COVID-10 pandemic in 2020, the SCA Research team conducted two surveys to assess the impact of the virus on the global specialty coffee community. In this series of videos, we break down the results of the surveys and talk to experts about how coffee businesses can adapt in response to the pandemic.
El equipo de Desarrollo del Conocimiento de la SCA, como parte de la Agenda de Café Sostenible de la SCA, está implementando una encuesta dirigida a los actores de la cadena de suministro del café para evaluar y rastrear el impacto sobre cómo el valor es creado, medido, y distribuido en las cadenas de valor del café, hacia el objetivo más amplio de lograr una distribución equitativa del valor (EVD).
The SCA Knowledge Development team as part of the SCA Sustainable Coffee Agenda is implementing a survey aimed at actors across the coffee supply chain to assess and track the impact around how value is created, measured, and distributed in coffee value chains, toward a broader goal of equitable value distribution (EVD).
The SCA Knowledge Development team needs input from coffee educators to help shape future education programs. Tell us your thoughts in this 5 minute survey.
El equipo de Desarrollo del Conocimiento de la SCA necesita aportes de educadores del sector café para ayudar a dar forma a futuros programas educativos. Cuéntanos tu opinión en esta encuesta de 5 minutos.
Tell us about the state of your business to help us better understand the overall health of our industry in this short survey.
El grupo de desarrollo de contenidos de SCA necesita saber su opinión para diseñar los eventos y publicaciones de este año.
The SCA Content Development group need your input to help shape next year's events and publications. Take this survey.
Following up on the video The Science of COVID-19 Safety for Coffee Businesses, Professor William D. Ristenpart of the UC Davis Coffee Center will be live for a Q&A on October 15 at 8am PST / 4pm BST.
In the final part of this video, William D. Ristenpart goes in-depth about four things cafes and coffee businesses can do to increase safety. Building on the first three parts of this video that explain how the virus functions, we now look at how masks, increased ventilation, air purifiers, and limited exposure can go a long way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and increase overall safety.
This third segment of the second video in our Community Impact of COVID-19 series dives into the data around COVID-19 transmission probability.
Here we share How Does the Virus Get Into the Air? - Part 2 of The Science of COVID-19 Safety for Coffee Businesses. This second segment of the video in our Community Impact of COVID-19 series provides a deeper explanation of the science of airborne transmission of viruses.
Here we share Why Worry About Airborne Transmission - Part 1 of The Science of COVID-19 Safety for Coffee Businesses. This first segment of the second video in our Community Impact of COVID-19 series gives an overview of the basics of airborne transmission.
In the second video in our series Community Impact of COVID-19, we’re joined by William D. Ristenpart to look at the science of airborne diseases and how we can use that information to maximize safety while serving coffee and other products.
In this first Community Impact of COVID-19 video, Katie von der Lieth and Peter Giuliano analyze what the SCA’s most recent survey tells us about the impact of COVID-19 on the specialty coffee community.
In the coming weeks, the SCA Research team will break down the results of the latest survey in a new video series: Community Impact of COVID-19, with support from Pacific Barista Series. The first video, Community Impact of COVID-19: An Introduction, presented by Katie von der Lieth and Peter Giuliano is now available.
As a part of the global specialty coffee community, the SCA is deeply concerned about the welfare of the businesses that form the basis of our professional network. In an attempt to understand and document the impact that COVID-19 is having on the specialty coffee industry, we have created this snapshot poll of the specialty coffee industry.
SCA Roundtable: Conversations with CEOs in Coffee
The coronavirus pandemic has brought the global economy to a halt, having an immediate and long-term impact on specialty coffee businesses and professionals. In Roundtable, a video series from the SCA, CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts conversations with leaders in the coffee industry from around the world with a view towards the future.
In episode 10 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with CEOs of companies providing a range of good and services to the specialty coffee industry.
In episode 9 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with CEOs of chain cafés in North America, Europe, and Africa.
In episode 8 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with CEOs of small coffee roasters around the world.
In episode 7 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with CEOs of major espresso machine manufacturers.
In episode 6 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with CEOs of major manufacturers in the coffee industry.
In episode 5 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with green coffee professionals from around the world.
Episode #4 of Roundtable features a conversation with Black CEOs in coffee focused on the Black Lives Matter movement, their experiences as Black professionals in the coffee sector, and what work is required to dismantle systemic racism in the coffee space and the wider culture.
In episode 3 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with coffee producers and producer representatives from around the world.
In episode 2 of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with founders and CEOs of large coffee roasting companies from around the world.
This inaugural episode of Roundtable, Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts a conversation with four esteemed coffee professionals who share their experiences as owners of independent cafés amid the pandemic.
In Roundtable, a new video series from the SCA, CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos hosts conversations with leaders in the coffee industry from around the world with a view towards the future.
Conversations Hosted by Community Members
Volunteer leadership from the SCA’s Guilds, SCA Chapters, and the wider community also came together to host conversations and share resources on how coffee professionals can cope with the ongoing pandemic.
On Friday, April 17, CTG Chair Hylan Joseph and representatives from the guild discussed how to adapt to the changing business environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic in this special webinar.
Join us on Friday, March 27, at 8 am PDT / 3 pm GMT for a webinar with licensed marriage and family therapist and self-care coach Courtney Muir and representatives of all three guilds.
En este seminario virtual, discutiremos los impactos de la virus COVID-19 con dos representantes de la cadena de valores de café de los EEUU, Areli Barrera de Grodski y Jorge Cuevas. Areli y su pareja Leon son dueños de tres cafeterías y un negocio de tueste en Carolina del Norte y hablará de su experiencia cambiando el módelo de ventas rapidamente para responder diariamente a nuevas circumstancias.
The staff and leadership of the Specialty Coffee Association and affiliated guilds and chapters are carefully monitoring developments related to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to understand its impact on our global community and activities. This blog post is part of a series of articles and other content written by members of our community, reflecting on the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it’s affecting their work and livelihoods.
We’ve put together a living database to collect some of the many resources being shared by our community across social media and from business to business as we look for answers on how to manage the rapidly evolving situation.
On March 20, we hosted a webinar with food safety expert and coffee consultant Mike Ebert and the chairs of all three guilds. The aim of this webinar was to provide an overview of the current (and ever-evolving) situation, including what we know and what we don’t know, and the direct effects on various roles within the supply chain. Mike will be joined by members of the Barista Guild, Roasters Guild, and Coffee Technicians Guild leadership, who will lead a Q&A with questions collected from their communities.
Updates on the Impacts of COVID-19 on SCA Events
For answers to frequently asked questions and more information, please visit our events websites:
Modified SCA Cupping Protocol

Tasting batch-brewed coffee is, in many cases, a better alternative to cupping when you want to avoid cross-contamination. In cases where the coffee-grading function of the SCA cupping protocol is important, we encourage the use of the modified protocol.
In response to COVID-19, we modified the SCA cupping protocol for use in the Specialty Coffee Expo Cupping Exchange with input from cupping experts and institutions. We anticipate the evolution of this protocol as we continue to collaborate with health and sensory experts and receive feedback from our community.
Download a printable PDF below:
FAQs
Updated July 28, 2020
How is the SCA monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak?
The SCA has put together a taskforce, made up of leadership across the organization, that meets daily to review updates from local and global health organizations, updates from our event partners, and questions from our communities.
As each event approaches, the task force meets daily to discuss the latest developments and the inquiries coming in from the community to help us to determine the safest course of action. Our decisions and actions continue to be informed by local and global health authorities. We will continue to update this page and the FAQ below as the situation evolves and we receive new questions.
Below are some relevant links to websites we are monitoring and updating that may be useful to you:
General relevant links:
Resources for those attending the Specialty Coffee Expo:
- Oregon Health Authority
- Multnomah County Health Authority
- Portland International Airport
- Oregon Convention Center
- US Department of State Travel Advisories and Guidelines
Resources for those attending the Melbourne World Coffee Championships:
- Australian Government Department of Health
- Victorian Health Administration
- Melbourne Airport
- Melbourne International Coffee Expo
- Melbourne Convention Exhibition Center
Resources for those attending World of Coffee Warsaw:
The taskforce is also meeting with focus groups as needed to ensure we’re including community input as we move forward. We are working to provide relevant updates in as close to real time as possible on this page, but the best resources are to utilize the real-time updates from local and global health authorities.
How are the SCA's Expo, World of Coffee, and World Coffee Championships impacted by COVID-19?
For the latest updates on our events, please see the "Updates on the Impacts of COVID-19 and SCA Events" section above or visit our event websites.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially named the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Over the past few months, we have been monitoring the outbreak and its impact on our upcoming events and seeking solutions with the health and safety of our community in mind. We have been exploring alternative options to support the best outcomes for all stakeholders who have invested in preparing for these shows.
We are advising our staff, volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees everywhere to please follow your country's health advisories regarding travel and gatherings. The SCA will continue to closely monitor updates from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For a complete and up to date list of confirmed locations, please visit [cdc.gov/coronavirus][16]. [16]: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/
What advice do you have for staying safe during coffee cupping activities at SCA events?
Tasting batch-brewed coffee is, in many cases, a better alternative to cupping when you want to avoid cross-contamination. In cases where the coffee grading function of the SCA cupping protocol is important, we encourage the use of the modified protocol, listed above under "Modified SCA Cupping Protocol."
Who can I contact with questions or concerns related to my participation at an upcoming SCA event?
If you are an exhibitor or attendee registered to attend Expo, World of Coffee, or the World Coffee Championships, and you would like to get in touch with a member of our team, please find the relevant contact information following one of the links below.
- Specialty Coffee Expo
- World of Coffee
- World Coffee Championships: Email info@worldcoffeeevents.org
Information for SCA Chapters or WCE-sanctioned Competition Bodies
The COVID-19 outbreak has made global travel more complicated. Travelers may have restrictions imposed on them by various government entities or may be hesitant to travel due to the evolving situation. We know that this may make it difficult for Competition Bodies (CBs) to find WCE Representatives for their national championships. SCA/WCE wants to recognize that this situation may create unprecedented challenges for Competition Bodies. Therefore, if a CB is unable to find a WCE Rep for their championships, please let your Regional Community Director (RCD) know as soon as possible (find their contact information below). If no suitable Rep is available, WCE may allow the CB to run their championships without a WCE Rep present, and still be able to send their champions to compete at the World Coffee Championships. If your CB is having trouble confirming a WCE Rep, please inform WCE (info@worldcoffeeevents.org) and your RCD as soon as possible, so that we can help determine the best solution available and ensure that your national champions are sanctioned.
- Mansi Chokshi, Regional Community Director for the Americas - Email: mansic@sca.coffee
- Kyonghee Shin, Regional Community Director for Asia-Pacific - Email: kyonghees@sca.coffee
- Jackie Malone, Regional Community Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa - Email: jackiem@sca.coffee
We are also developing some modified evaluation protocols for the coffee competitions, to minimize cross-contamination. We will be sharing those shortly, and you should make use of them to ensure the highest degree of safety at your event.
Information for WCE Reps
WCE does not require any WCE Representative to travel anywhere that they do not feel comfortable. We advise all WCE Representatives to err on the side of caution and to follow your country's health advisories regarding travel and gatherings. We will be equally supportive of Competition Body events. Therefore, if a CB is unable to source a WCE Rep, we will not prohibit that CB from participating in the World Coffee Championships. We feel this is the safest and most respectful way to support our coffee communities around the world and move forward, due to the current challenges and unknowns. We are also developing some modified evaluation protocols for some of the competitions to minimize cross-contamination. We will be sharing those shortly, and you should make use of them if you do travel to an event, or take part in one in your own country. If you are a WCE Rep, please check your inbox for emails from WCE staff for more information.
For answers to frequently asked questions and more information, please visit our events websites: Specialty Coffee Expo, World of Coffee, and World Coffee Events.
Get in Touch
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