FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MISSOULA, MT (January 6, 2006) – The Alliance for Coffee Excellence announced its 2006 Cup of Excellence program schedule today at the same time it unveiled new membership benefits and an upgrade to its website which includes a comprehensive data base search feature. Roasters, retailers and importers interested in becoming supporting members of Cup of Excellence program can join online at www.cupofexcellence.org.

The in depth data base of winning farm information compiled over the last few years will offer roasters easier access to high quality coffee farmers on a more long term basis. It is the only known data base search that focuses on competition winning coffee and offers a rich source of information by allowing members to search by key words, or for specifics such as altitude, variety, farm size, coffee growing area, international jury score, and cupping descriptions matched with the farm location and contact. Along with this search a new online membership directory will also support the development of relationships among exemplary coffee buyers. “ We are always trying to improve the program and the benefits to our members and the winning farmers,” explained Susie Spindler, Executive Director. “In addition to the marketing materials we already provide to the winning bidders and priority status for jury selection, the data base search should prove to be an invaluable tool for anyone interested in quality coffee.”

As in 2005 additional Membership in the Cup of Excellence program also offers winning samples and auction registration for those interested in the 7 competitions planned for the year. Beginning with Colombia in February, the program plans a competition and an auction for Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Bolivia, Brazil and a second Colombian program in the fall.

Membership fees vary from the Community membership of $200 per year to the $10,000 Lifetime membership. Several roasters and importers have supported the program at this highest level demonstrating its importance to their company. Bill Swoope, Lifetime Member from The Coffee Tree Roasters indicated that, “as a smaller roaster, this program not only gives us easy access to exemplary award winning coffees, but by being involved in juries at the international competitions we also gain valuable insight and unmatched cupping experience on a large scale for single origin coffees.”

For more information about the program, register for membership, wining samples, or the auctions, log on the www.cupofexcellence.org.