U.S. retail sales of organic coffee in 2006 increased 24 percent to 110.36 million dollars, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2007 Organic Manufacturer Survey, the result of increased consumer awareness, availability and high quality.

(PRWEB) – Sales of organic coffee are growing faster than one can say, “Espresso, please!” U.S. retail sales of organic coffee in 2006 increased 24 percent to 110.36 million dollars, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2007 Organic Manufacturer Survey.

There are some estimates that indicate actual sales could be even higher.

“The dramatic increase in organic coffee sales mirrors the continuing growth in the overall organic sector and reflects consumers’ increasing awareness of these products, their high quality, and the availability of these beverages in venues ranging from small coffee shops to ‘Big Box’ stores,” said Caren Wilcox, OTA’s Executive Director.

Participants in the Organic Coffee Collaboration — a project of the Organic Trade Association are driving much of the increase in retail sales. Consisting of the leading broker, roasters and decaffeinator in the United States, the companies provide much of the organic decaffeinated, caffeinated, flavored and instant coffees widely available at retail outlets nationwide and direct from roasters via the Internet. The companies are: Café Bom Dia (Coral Gables, FL), Dallis Coffee (New York City, NY) DaSilva Fine Brazilian Coffee (Winston-Salem, NC), Elan Organic Coffee (San Diego, CA), Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA), F. Gaviña & Sons (Vernon, CA), Fresh Harvest Products (New York City, NY), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT) and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Regarding quality, Wilcox notes that several organic coffees from farms in Nicaragua won the Cup of Excellence competition in that country June 6, 2007. The prestigious award program, managed by the U.S.-based Alliance for Coffee Excellence, selects the best coffees produced in a particular country in a particular year.

Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic coffee is grown in more than 30 countries, including the United States.

The Organic Coffee Collaboration is a project of the Organic Trade Association, the business association for the North American organic industry. The Collaboration includes:

Café Bom Dia (Coral Gables, FL) – Through the Marques De Paiva brand, Café Bom Dia is one of the leading suppliers of sustainable coffees in the U.S. It is the first coffee company worldwide to be certified as carbon-neutral meaning it is committed to reducing greenhouse gases and protecting our global climate for future generations.

Dallis Coffee (New York, NY) – a leading provider of organic and Fair Trade Certified� coffees, selling to Whole Foods, universities and top cafes and restaurants across the country.

DaSilva Fine Brazilian Coffee® (Winston-Salem, NC) – Provides organic ultra premium single-estate coffee directly from Espírito Santo, Brazil, hand-selected and picked only from the most recent crops.

Elan Organic Coffees (San Diego, CA) – coffee developer and importer offering certified organic socially responsible coffees it develops through partnerships with village co-ops.

Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA) – worker-owned, Fair Trade Certified� cooperative and one of largest U.S. organic coffee roasters.

F. Gaviña & Sons (Vernon, CA) – a family owned and operated specialty coffee roaster with over 135 years experience as growers, traders and roasters of fine coffees. The Gaviña family is committed to producing high quality 100% organic coffees for its Gaviña Gourmet Coffee and Don Francisco’s Specialty Coffee brands.

Fresh Harvest Products, Inc. (New York, NY) – its Wings of Nature® brand coffees are small-batch roasted to a temperature that peaks the flavor and aroma of each bean, and then custom blended after roasting to provide unique and flavorful varieties.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT) – one of the leading U.S. organic coffee roasters and number one on Business Ethics magazine’s 2006 list of “100 Best Corporate Citizens.”

Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, BC, Canada) – North America’s leading certified organic coffee decaffeinator, which decaffeinates coffee for three other Organic Coffee Collaboration participants: Café Bom Dia, Elan Organic Coffees, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

For further information on the Collaboration, including both cold and hot organic coffee recipes, purchase locations and fact sheets, see the Organic Coffee Collaboration web site.

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