The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), founded in 1982, is a non-profit trade organization for the specialty coffee industry. With members located in more than 40 countries, SCAA represents every segment of the specialty coffee industry, including producers, coffee roasters, importers/exporters, retailers,coffee brewing equipment manufacturers, baristas and other industry professionals.
For over 30 years, SCAA has been dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community by recognizing, developing and promoting specialty coffee. SCAA sets and maintains quality standards for the industry, conducts market research, and provides education, training, resources, and business services for its members.
Up until recently, a separate branch of the SCA existed in Europe, known as the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE).
In 2017, the Speciality Coffee Association of America merged with the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe to create one organization, simply known as the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA). The SCA now has over 10,000 active members.
The SCA has six core values that they operate by. These are:
Relevant Member Value – ensuring that each member on every level of the coffee production chain receives value and service from the SCA.
Sustainable Coffee Industry – promoting sustainable coffee practices that will allow the industry to develop and progress for years to come.
Community of Communities – providing a hub within the association where businesses and individuals can connect, interact and grow together.
Best People – supporting the best people in the speciality coffee industry, regardless of race, gender or creed.
Ethical Operation – being an honest and transparent organization that operates with a strong moral code.
Respect for the Individual – supporting each individual person, business and component in the speciality coffee industry as being equally important and deserving.