The 2009 Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition concluded with a joyous and emotional awards ceremony in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Over 200 producers attended the awards ceremony, eager to learn who among them would walk away with an array of prizes and the honor of placing high among their peers in the coffee quality competition.  Also in attendance were representatives from project partners Sebrae-MG, Wal-Mart, US AID and TransFair USA.  It was a special honor to have the presence of Lisa Kubiske , Charge dÁffairs  A.I. U.S. Embassy Brazil, as well as Gilman Viana Rodrigues, who is Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Minas Gerais.

The awards event began with a hands on demonstration and explanation of the process of cupping by head Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition Juror -Fernando Oliveira.  Fernando explained to project partners and special guests the process that was used to evaluate all of the coffee submitted to this years competition and eventually determine the winners.  After hearing Fernando’s explanation the group was able to cup and evaluate several of the coffees- including this years winners!

Next, project partners and special guests delivered speeches congratulating the producers on their hard work and achievements and reflecting on the achievements of the Responsible Sourcing Partnership project during the past two years.

Unipcafem cooperative members react to producer member Sebastião Reguim winning first place in the Natural Coffee Category

After much anticipation, it was time to announce the winners.  The winners in the semi-washed coffee category were announced first, for all placing except 1st.  After the announcement of each winner, a thunderous applause erupted from fellow cooperative members and all in attendance.  The winners in the natural category were also announced through second place and the auditorium filled to the brim with joyous congratulations, music, cheers and anticipation for the final announcement - who the first place winners would be in each category.

In addition to the great honor of winning first place among so many high quality Fair Trade Certified coffees, the winners also received R$1,500, donated by Bradesco, and a coffee processing machine,  donated by Pinhalense.

A fellow Unipcafem cooperative member congratulates producer Sebastião Reguim on winning first place in the Natural Coffee Category

First place in the Natural Coffee Category went to Sebastião Reguim of Unipcafem cooperative for his coffee with a score of 84.7 points. First place in the Semi-washed coffee category went to Marcos Antônio Nali of Pronova cooperative for his coffee with an impressive score of 87.2 points.  The announcement of the winners was followed by a reception where producers and RSP project partners had time enjoy to congratulate the winners and everyone who participated in this years contest.

Natural Coffee
1    Sebastião Reguim    UNIPCAFEM    84,7
2 Guido Reguim Filho    UNIPCAFEM    82,7
3 Joaquim Honório Bueno    COOPERVITAE    82,2
4 Gicelda Maria Borges    COOPERVITAE    82,2
5 Clenilton Baquião de Lima    COOPERVITAE    82,0
6 José Pedro do Nascimento    ASSOC. DOS COSTAS    81,2
7 Marcelo da Silva    COORPOL    81,0

Semi-Washed Coffee
1 Marcos Antônio Nali    PRONOVA    87,2
2 Domingos Sávio Lopes    PRONOVA    86,2
3 (tie)

Partners and Winners-from left to right: Juliano Cornélio of Sebrae-MG, Gilman Viana Rodrigues- Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Minas Gerais, Reymar Couginho de Andraze of Pinhalense, Jeffery Bell of US AID, Marcos Antônio Nali of Pronova- winner in the semi-washed coffee category, Jennifer Bielman of TransFair USA, Sebastião Reguim of Unipcafem- winner in the natural coffee category, Paulo Mindlin of Wal-Mart Brazil, Lisa Kubiske-Charge dÁffairs A.I. U.S. Embassy Brazil, and Lynn Lohr of TransFair USA