White Coffee Fortifies Primaveral Cooperative Partnership; Colombian Imports Double

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Representatives of White Coffee Corporation are visiting Huila, Colombia this week to strengthen their relationship with Asociacion Primaveral, the Primaveral Coffee Cooperative. The group is a collection of 24 local coffee growers who live and work on farms in southern Huila. Working in one of the premium growing regions in the world, these local farmers have been presented with a cash stipend, over and above the regular purchase price for the coffee. This funding implements White Coffee Corporation's pledge last fall that enables Asociacion Primaveral to resume additions and upgrades to its coffee drying facilities.

"Giving back to the coffee communities is important to White Coffee," says Jonathan White, Executive Vice President of White Coffee Corporation. "We are forming a bond with the farmers and providing for their needs, while ensuring for quality beans."

Premium drying facilities are a primary concern for farmers, a key element in coffee production. Upgraded drying facilities enable beans to sun-dry at a homogeneous, constant rate and improve quality. The improvements allow the farmers to charge more for premium beans and increase their income. The stipend will be used for 24 large, clear, waterproof canopies that will be hung over drying patios, perfect for drying beans under the sun.

White Coffee has imported over 30,000 lbs. of coffee in the first year of the partnership and expects to double its imports to 62,400 lbs. in 2011, and in 2012 to 117,000 lbs. of coffee. Asociacion Primaveral may elect to increase its membership but will only consider top coffee producers in their region.

"The existence of a long-term commercial agreement that pays for quality at a price that is above market is the best incentive that White Coffee can offer to us, encouraging us to continue delivering the best quality," says Elias Roa, President of Asociacion Primaveral. "Our group is working with enthusiasm and responsibility to strengthen this important relationship with White Coffee."

"White Coffee Corporation will consider the farmers' requests annually and will continue to support projects that are capital improvements for the production of the coffee beans imported," says White. "We look forward to growing the relationship with Primaveral Cooperative, and on additional improvements in the coming years."

Asociacion Primaveral is a non-profit cooperative, registered in the Chamber of Commerce in Huila, Colombia. Fairfield Trading, LLC is the Colombian exporter and coordinator of the cooperative program with the growers. White Coffee Corporation is based in Long Island City, NY and is a third-generation family-owned coffee importing and roasting business in operation since 1939. As a core part of its coffee offerings, White Coffee is proud to feature products that are certified "organic" by Quality Insurance International and "fair trade" by Fair Trade USA. White Coffee products are available on-line at www.whitecoffee.com or call 1-800-221-0140 for more information.

CONTACT:  Mary Beth Kramer
Kramer Consulting
215-431-3946

SOURCE White Coffee Corporation