Hires Former Juan Valdez Manager
Addresses sustainability program at National Coffee Association
NYC Conference Oct. 19

Boston, MA. October 12, 2010 - UTZ CERTIFIED, a leading global agricultural sustainability certification program, proudly announces the hiring of Alfonso Plazas as Business Development Manager for North America. Plazas was formerly the Director of Supply Chain - Finance for Juan Valdez Coffee, a subsidiary of Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC). He will be attending the National Coffee Association (NCA) Fall Education Conference October 18-19 in New York City.

Also attending the NCA conference is UTZ CERTIFIED Board Member Jim Fisher. He will address UTZ' traceability program on the "Quality and Sustainability - From Source to Cup: Three Perspectives" panel October 19 at 2 p.m. In his presentation, he suggests that the definition of coffee quality should encompass also business, social, and environmental practices.

By the end of August 2010, 73,969 MT of coffee had been traded through the UTZ CERTIFIED system, maintaining the same 31 percent increase in sales compared to last year's figures. With just a few more months left this year, the organizations expects it will reach an all-time high for UTZ CERTIFIED coffee sales. Volumes of certified tea and cocoa are also steadily increasing and UTZ CERTIFIED cocoa is now available from 6 different origins.