“For a long time, certifications for responsible food production and awards for superior taste have remained distinct,” reads Good Food Awards’ explanation of their process. “Good Food Awards recognize that truly good food—the kind that brings people together and builds strong, healthy communities—contains all of these ingredients.”
The Good Food Awards were created six years ago by a collective of grocers, farmers, producers and food journalists to recognize food that is not only exceptional in flavor but conscientious of its impact on the environment, community ties and cultural traditions. From among 1,462 entrants in 2015, five Northwest producers were recognized in the Coffee and Confections categories alone. Here’s how they did it.
COFFEE
Case Coffee Roasters, Kenya Muthonjo AA – At Ashland’s Case Coffee Roasters, “Coffee is fun, and so is drinking it.” The small shop cultivates “good vibes” in a lighthearted atmosphere while focusing on micro-lot coffee “from producers that are getting it right.” Also a Good Food Award winner in 2013, Case believes it’s truly important to know the name of every farmer they buy from. || Ashland, OR
Kuma Coffee, Panama Carmen Estate – “I make it a point to have a personal relationship with each one of my clients and those I purchase coffee from,” says Mark Barany, roastmaster and owner of Seattle’s Kuma. Barany learned to love coffee while attending boarding school in Kijabe, Kenya—Kuma, also a repeat Good Food Award winner, was the result. || Seattle
Noble Coffee Roasting, Ethiopian Schilcho – Also of Ashland, Noble Coffee Roasting buys conscientiously but focuses most especially on connecting with the people who will purchase and drink the organic coffee once it’s roasted. “We aim to enrich the lives of our customers,” reads the Noble Coffee Roasting mission statement, continuing, “Our Noble crew is a coffee-loving group of kind folks who are eager to educate, share, and learn.” || Ashland, OR
CONFECTIONS
Arrowhead Chocolates, Espresso Truffle – “We love top quality chocolate, and everything we make, we have to love first, before we offer it to you.” Over in Joseph, in the far northeast of Oregon, Arrowhead Chocolates focuses on ingredients that are local, natural, organic, premium quality, sustainable, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified (whew) “to create flavor that is true and in season.” The espresso in this truffle (Hair Bender from Stumptown) is pulled and mixed directly into the truffle’s ganache to make the center. || Joseph, OR
Xocolatl de Davíd, Sourdough & Olive Oil Bar – David Briggs is both chocolatier and owner at Xocolatl de Davíd, which is influenced by both his culinary background and his extensive childhood travels. “His single origin chocolate comes from sustainable and fair trade sources, [and] Briggs works with local farmers as well as specialty producers from around the world to attain the highest quality ingredients for each product he creates,” explains Xocolatl’s website, though Briggs is most famed for partnering with other local food producers to create savory chocolate creations, of which the Sourdough & Olive Oil Bar is one. || Portland
Find the complete list of 2015 Good Food Award winners here.
