Farm Journal

Small Visitors Welcome

Cafe Ita — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:16:50 +0000

Small visitors are welcome at our biodynamic farm. These little guys would not be welcomed at a conventional farm. Yes, they affect productivity but it is all about balance.

Green Fertiliser

Cafe Ita — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:52:50 +0000

We were at the Slow Food event this past weekend and many people asked about biodynamic agricultural practices. Here is one aspect of what we do – a mix crop strategy. As in the picture the castor and the beans will be processed (ground) right on the spot and reincorporated as a source of macro elements such nitrogen – that is what we call Green Fertiliser - it is about keeping the soil healthy.

Finally - the new logo and label

Cafe Ita — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:26:59 +0000

Label - starting again...!!

Cafe Ita — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:09:44 +0000

We thought we had it done.....it is getting emotional this whole branding stuff. The brand name for retail and the general design style - we are starting all over again. We have given ourselves another 3 days. I thought it would be easy but it is turning out to be a nightmare to make a decision. Hope to post it here by Sunday of this week......the new design direction.

However, I am glad that we have not outsourced it, we have learned a great deal in the process and have made us rethink a lot of issues in our strategy. Ok, it has taken way too long but the experience gained has been worth it.

Bread and Coffee

Cafe Ita — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:39:18 +0000

Next weekend I am meeting Artisan Bread artisanbread-abo.co.uk - they make wonderful organic and biodynamic breads - what best than coffee and bread - the idea is that we collaborate as producers to bring a variety of biodynamic products to the consumer. Yes we need a jam, butter and milk and we can put together the biodynamic breakfast box. I wonder how we can do this collaboration efficiently on the web? If anyone out there has any ideas, do write to us.

Organic vs Biodynamic

Cafe Ita — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:23:14 +0000

Went to a meeting last night and was reminded that so few people know, or even heard about Biodynamic agriculture. The organic movement has been very successful. Organic food is now part of most UK people's hamper - at least that how it looks to me. Yet so few know about Biodynamic agriculture. I am thinking I need a short and snappy statement about the difference between organic and biodynamic - something that can fit on a business card - this may help the initial contact.

Struggling with Label

Cafe Ita — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:18:20 +0000

We are struggling with the label, never imagined that it would be so difficult to design. So much to say in such a small piece of paper. How do we tell the consumer about biodynamic agriculture, direct trade, quality coffee, etc on a 65x100 mm label. Wow - bigger challenge that I thought. Do we go for fun, naive, classy, luxury...? Hope to post the label here in the next couple of days. A big learning curve.

Coffee Now Available

Cafe Ita — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:36:21 +0000

Steve, from Has Bean Coffee, has now developed the roast for our coffee and will be ready for sale next week. It has taken about a year to get this Direct Project off the ground and it is now turning into a reality. It is amazing to see our coffee through the whole process from the harvest back in Brazil to the roasting here in the UK. Next step - to see it in many shops in the near future !!!

The coffee has arrived - 20 Feb 2009

Cafe Ita — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:40:08 +0000

The coffee is finally here, it arrived at Eniti's speciality coffee and tea storage facility at Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk. Peter has an efficient team and they do a fantastic job taking great care of all the details, they really do care about the work that they are doing. Visit our picture gallery to see some photos of Peter and his team hard at work unloading our first container biodynamic/organic coffee in the UK.

Coffee is on its way....28 Jan Departs the Port of Salvador

Cafe Ita — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:09:46 +0000

The first shipment of our coffee was loaded at the farm on 21 Jan, 2009 (see photos). Today, it made its way down to the port of Salvador, Bahia and it is awaiting the scheduled departure on Wednesday, 28 January. It has taken us longer than expected to get to this stage, but the whole Direct Trade project is now becoming a reality.