SCA Community Spotlight: The SCA Italy Chapter Goes 'On Air' During the Pandemic
In this SCA Community Spotlight, DANIELA MAURO, Marketing & Communications Coordinator of the SCA Italy Chapter, tells us how the chapter’s volunteer network has mobilized to support Italian coffee professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Between March and May of this year, Italy faced the toughest lockdown in all of Europe. As the first of the western countries to be hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, Italy immediately adopted severe restrictive measures, such as the total shut-down of all non-essential production activities, up to the travel ban. Restaurants, bars, shops, and offices have been closed for months, in an unreal mood of fear and stillness. For SCA Italy, the lockdown has been a moment of critical reflection, in which we rediscovered the values that distinguish and make the Association so unique. Cohesion, solidarity, and cooperation were the fundamental values that guided the Italian Chapter's venture to help its community restart with enthusiasm and positivity.
Starting from 4 May, the date that sanctioned the reopening of bars and restaurants nationally, SCA Italy launched several online initiatives for hospitality professionals who had reopened their businesses after two months and had to deal with a completely changed environment as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
We began with a new live-streaming format: "SCA Italy on Air," in which we hosted daily interviews and webinars designed to provide our members with specialist knowledge and authoritative content in this transition time. The live meetings covered topics related to the Associations' activities, such as the future of the competitions and training courses, which have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.
However, the main focus has been on issues and challenges related to the reopening. Thanks to trainers and industry experts' contribution, we have discussed in-depth technical matters concerning cleaning procedures, equipment management, new rules for food handling and space management, etc.
Our second project was born out of an idea from Authorized SCA Trainers (ASTs) in Italy, eager to contribute to support those facing a difficult restart. We launched a program we call the "Barista Vademecum," a practical advice manual, summarized in 4 infographics, for baristas and café owners. The Vademecum was published on the SCA Italy website and covers the most critical issues of the reopening of cafes, particularly water, equipment, cleaning routine, and the barista's role.
Barista Vademecum: 4 infographics created by SCA Italy for baristas and café owners. Click on each image to expand it.
A further sign of closeness to the coffee community was given last July, with the launch of the "Caffeist Manifesto," a poster created with contributions from the Italian Espresso Institute (IEI).
The Manifesto, dedicated to baristas and specialty coffee professionals, is a quality statement that allows the customer to recognize all the fundamental steps that lead to quality in the cup. It aims to engage customers on what they should always find in a coffee-shop, starting from a skilled barista who loves and respects coffee and strive to deliver an exceptional drinking experience to his clients.
With all these activities, which result from many volunteer leaders' efforts, SCA Italy seeks to strengthen member's sense of belonging to the coffee community, which is still dynamic, vibrant, and healthy today more than ever. Over the past months, we have witnessed an unprecedented joint effort to share knowledge and help each other to preserve the specialty coffee supply chain. In this supportive and sustainable philosophy, we can find a fresh way to spread the specialty coffee in Italy and take the opportunity to make people rediscover a product that, before the lockdown, was perhaps taken for granted and was consumed often unconsciously. Sca Italy will keep working for a cohesive and connected community and join forces to make this revolution happen.