Ironman Organization Snubs KONA COFFEE
KAILUA KONA, HAWAII, October 8, 2007 - In a press release today, the Ironman organization announced that its “ideal” coffee, Guatamalan, would be served at its event held in Kona this weekend.
Ironman’s release stated that the product will be on-site and available at this year's Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, and said that “the team realized the need for creating an "ideal" coffee after noticing the market was limited."
The Kona Coffee Farmers Association was outraged by the insult. “To import and serve a foreign coffee, no matter how good, as the “ideal” coffee into the heart of the Kona coffee growing district is unconscionable”said KCFA president Ken Sheppard. “Kona coffee is one of the two grand cru coffees of the world. Kona has always supported the Ironman contest and its athletes. Kona people will not react well to this”.
Chuck Moss, a third generation Kona coffee farmer, wrote to the Ironman organization “I'm very sorry to hear that the personal financial interests of some Ironman associated people has resulted in non Kona Coffee being the Ironman Coffee. This should be rethought, given the amount of support provided by the Kona community to Ironman.”. Donna Woolley, president of the Kona Coffee Council, wrote “I think it's a real slap in the Kona Coffee community’s face.”
Kona coffee is world- renowned as one of the top two gourmet coffees, alongside Jamaica Blue Mountain. The Kona community has supported the Ironman Triathlon for many years, but this insult to Kona’s, indeed Hawaii’s signature product will not go unnoticed in this close-knit community.
The Kona Coffee Farmers Association is a volunteer, non-profit, community-based organization of coffee farmers with the mission to promote and protect the economic interests of Kona coffee farmers who grow and sell 100% Kona coffee and to seek greater legal protection of the Kona coffee name.
www.konacoffeefarmers.org
Labels: Kona Coffee
posted by Robert @ 10/09/2007
3 Comments
3 Comments:
It is shocking! Kona's Ironman, which uses Kona's back drops (some is of growing coffee)has decided that the "ideal" coffee is from Guatamala? 100% pure Kona is one of 2 Gran Cru coffees in the entire world and the powers that be at the Ironman don't realise this? The Ironman directors use the many Kona volunteers, they use our beautiful ocean, they use the scenic bike paths paid for by Kona residents, (650 of whom are coffee growers)--- And yet they import Guatamalan coffee. What are they thinking??? aloha, (disgrunteled) Cea
As a Kona grower, i was upset with this situation. I called the office and got a full explanation, and now think I understand things a little more clearly. Ironman Coffee is a line of coffees, not just one. Apparently Ironman is in discussion with a kona producer about an "Ironman Kona" blend, that will be a part of the line. This makes sense to me, their timing sucks but i do remember that for many years Ironman did have a partnership with an official Kona Coffee. They told me they still will.
On another note, i think we need to see all the good that Ironman does in the community, to date, they are the largest charity donor on the big island, and i don't think one mis-step should cloud years of service in this community.
In this morning's email from Kona Coffee Farmer's! aloha.......
Ironman does the Right Thing:)
(From Ironman)
Thanks for reaching out and expressing your concern over the Ironman Organic Coffee announcement.
We are deeply sorry for the introduction of the branded coffee and apologize to the Big Island and its coffee community. This island is the foundation of the Ford Ironman World Championship and we respect the support that you have provided over the last 27 years. Without your support, we would not have been able to create an experience as well known as Ironman.
We made a mistake in the announcement but our lapse in judgement was not malicious. As a goodwill measure, we have removed the M-dot coffee from all local retail locations and will not move forward with related promotional activities.
We, at Ironman truly hope that you are able to forgive us for our mistake.
Sincerely,
Blair LaHaye
Director of Communications
Ironman/Iron Girl
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