Tomorrow! Wisconsin Latte Art Throwdown to Benefit Project Congo

Timshel Café and Kickapoo Coffee to raise funds for Project Congo with Saturday Throwdown

Baristas from the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin will be lining up at Timshel Café, 124 W. Wisconsin Ave., in Neenah, Wisc., to compete in the Latte Art Throwdown being hosted by Timshel and Kickapoo Coffee, and begins at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Not only is the event set to be a ton of fun with amazing prizes, but it’s a benefit for On the Ground’s Project Congo.

“Our inspiration stemmed from the desire to increase local coffee culture while raising awareness of gender inequality in Congolese coffee farmers,” says Noelle Joy McGinnis of Timshel, who has organized the event. “On The Ground’s mission is to grow gender equity programs and revitalize the coffee sector of the Eastern Congo. Their hope is to expand the role of women in regional coffee production, especially since women are responsible for up to 80% of coffee farm labor and often never see a Congolese Franc for their effort. The initiative has already helped to educate men and women through gender equity programs as well as provide emergency supplies for Lemera Hospital which helps victims of sexual assault.”

Amy Trudell and Noelle Joy McGinnis pose with some Barista Mag swag to be awarded to the throwdown winners.

Noelle Joy and her co-organizers were so intent on raising some serious cash for the cause that they set the latte art throwdown buy-in at $30—but almost all the spots have been filled already. Perhaps that interest in supporting such a worthy cause is why Noelle Joy was able to secure such awesome prizes for the winners, too. Prizes include an Acaia scale, a Kickapoo Coffee tamper, subscriptions to Barista Magazine and snapbacks, gifts from Lion’s Tail Brewing Co., teas from Rishi Organic Tea, plus beautiful handcrafted mugs from Kate Lenz of Seth’s Coffee.

Kate Lenz of Seth’s Coffee made these gorgeous mugs and is donating a set to each winner. Amazing!

“Kickapoo Coffee has been a long-time supporter of On The Ground, and Timshel Café’s mission aligns with the passion to support the growth and needs of coffee farmers,” says Noelle Joy. “Our hope is to bridge the gap between farmer, roaster, barista, and consumer. We want to celebrate the art of coffee while highlighting the heart of it which begins with the farmers.”

Ruby Coffee Roasters will join the panel of judges for the throwdown, and the public is welcome to join in the fun for a $10 donation which includes free beer and coffee samples!

For more information contact Noelle at timshelcafe@gmail.com.

The post Tomorrow! Wisconsin Latte Art Throwdown to Benefit Project Congo appeared first on barista magazine's blog.