(((Unfortunately I didn't make it to this coffee panel but WW did. Go here if you want a run-down of the standing room only, super successful event.)))
Although this is kind of last minute I want you to know about this free and open to the public coffee event this Thursday night at Leftbank:
Stumptown Coffee Roasters is hosting international growers and exporters from Columbia, Kenya, El Salvador and Costa Rica for a public panel discussion about everything from sustainable farming vs. conventional production to innovations in trade channels. There's a coffee tasting that precedes the event in the Leftbank lobby at 6pm and the panel discussion begins at 6:30pm.
If you're hungry or thirsty for something more than coffee you can also sample food and drink from Upright Brewing Company and Leftbank Cafe while there.
Stumptown's green coffee buyer Aleco Chigounis will moderate the event and panelists include: Jeovanny Liscano & Walter Penna, farmers from Pedregal de Cauca, Colombia
Alejandro Cadena, exporter from Bogota, Colombia
Ngatia Kanyoge, farmer & assistant general manager from Gaturiri Cooperative, Karindundu, Karatina, Kenya
Kamau Kuria, agronomist and mill manager from Nairobi, Kenya
Juan Ramon Alvarado, farmer & exporter from Heredia, Costa Rica
Francisco Mena, exporter from Alajuela, Costa Rica
Aida Batlle, farmer from Santa Ana, El Salvador
I don't think I'll be able to make it but I hope a lot of folks turn out. It's pretty incredible that Stumptown is hosting such an event for its growers, exporters and for Portland. I have a lot of love for this.
Leftbank 240 North Broadway Visit www.leftbankproject.com for directions