In 1974, the Trieste-based company introduced the first pre-dosed and compressed single-serving coffee pod- a pioneering invention that, in the 1990s, became the industry standard (E.S.E. – Easy Serving Espresso). This marked a true revolution: with the perfect amount of coffee packed between two layers of filter paper and precisely pressurized, anyone could make an espresso as good as one served in a bar, right at home.

Half a century later, illycaffè continues its legacy of innovation with the ILLY X2.2 E.S.E., a new professional coffee machine designed by renowned architect and industrial designer Luca Trazzi. With its sleek, vintage inspired design, the new illy machine is crafted for bars, restaurants, and hotels that cater to clients seeking top-quality coffee and a responsible, sustainable experience. The launch responds to recent market trends, with 70% of consumers now preferring sustainable products, and coffee pods becoming an increasingly popular purchased by more than 3.2 million Italian households in 2023, a 10% increase from the previous year.

“We are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the E.S.E. pod system, a technology that, for half a
century, has embodied our dedication to innovation, quality, and sustainability – values that have always
been integral to illy,” said Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè. “This commitment is also reflected in our new professional coffee machine, which combines sophisticated design with sustainable technology to ensure excellent coffee while respecting our planet.”

The new ILLY X2.2 E.S.E. professional machine ensures exceptional in-cup quality with just a few simple steps. The illy E.S.E. pods, certified compostable, can be disposed of with organic waste, and are available in Classico (double espresso and lungo), Intenso, and Decaffeinato variants.

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For nearly three decades, Kicking Horse Coffee has stood for uncompromising ethics, bold flavours and an unapologetic attitude. The beloved Canadian brand from the Rockies has built a loyal following by crafting its coffee in partnership with Fairtrade farmers who pour pride into every bean. Now, Kicking Horse is kicking things up a notch.

To meet growing demand, Kicking Horse has teamed up with Keurig to bring its premium, Fairtrade, and organic blends to more homes across North America. Now available in Kick Ass (Dark Roast), Three Sisters (Medium Roast), and Happy Camper (Medium Roast), these K-Cups offer the same rich, bold flavour Kicking Horse fans love — crafted to match the full-bodied experience of a traditional pour-over, in a convenient format.

Its new “Kickstart Your Heart” campaign is a first for the brand and taps into the bold and fearless essence of Kicking Horse Coffee. Featuring a playful visual of a donkey riding a motorcycle (and set to Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart”), it reflects how coffee powers action and productivity in a fresh, irreverent way. The campaign reflects CMO Lori Hatcher-Hillier’s ethos: “Coffee is the conduit to getting s*** done every day.”

The story behind Kicking Horse is as rich as their beans. Founded in Invermere, BC, the brand is committed to empowering farmers, ensuring every cup tells a story of integrity and grit. Through Fairtrade partnerships, they aim to support coffee producers by facilitating fair compensation, which helps invest in their communities and improve livelihoods through access to education, healthcare, and sustainable practices.

The full product range is now available on the Kicking Horse Coffee website and at major retailers across Canada. The MSRP is CAD $25.99 for 24ct and CAD $12.99 for 10ct.

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Consumers at more than 1,100 Food Lion stores on the east coast can find Victor Allen’s single serve coffee pods in 36 count cartons in the following flavour profiles: Morning Blend, Donut Shop Blend, 100% Colombian and French Roast. New packaging graphics are also being launched on-shelf showcasing the new Victor Allen’s Coffee Brand logo along with a refreshed design focusing on its core brand attributes.

“The Victor Allen’s Coffee Brand is all about providing consumers with access to a great cup of coffee without having to comprise quality for price,” said Tom Lehocky, vice president of sales for Trilliant Food & Nutrition. “By expanding our distribution through a Food Lion partnership, consumers on the east coast will now have access to high quality coffee at a price that won’t break the bank. We are proud to partner with Food Lion and bring their shoppers this offering.”

For more information about the Victor Allen’s Coffee Brand, visit the Victor Allen’s website.

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Established in 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa, BLK & Bold was founded by lifelong friends and specialty coffee connoisseurs, Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson. The company is not only committed to making social impact through its support of underserved youth. As a certified B Corp, BLK & Bold pledges 5% of all profits to the company’s “For Our Youth” programme, which partners with 13 charities across the United States, including notable organisations like Kid Power, No Kid Hungry, Urban Growers, and Youth Guidance.

Josh Wilbur, founder and CEO of Steeped Coffee stated, “Steeped is thrilled to partner with BLK & Bold to offer its remarkable roasts to our community of sustainable single-serve coffee drinkers. As a fellow certified B Corp, we’re extremely proud to work with a roaster who is similarly committed to giving back to communities in need. We are excited about the amount of good we can do together.”

“BLK & Bold is proud to partner with Steeped Coffee, an innovative company that is making single-serve more sustainable for coffee lovers,” said BLK & Bold co-founder and CEO, Pernell Cezar. “Together, we can bring the bold taste of BLK & Bold blends to more people nationwide, and deliver even more support to our nonprofit partners, all while reducing our impact on the planet.”

Two of BLK & Bold’s best-selling blends are available in single-serve Steeped Bags on Steeped’s website. Both Steeped x BLK & Bold blends are also available in select Walmart stores nationwide.

• Limu, Ethiopia: A single-origin light roast with flavours of chocolate, blueberry, and honey.

• Rise & GRND: A sweet and creamy medium roast with savoury toffee and nutty flavours, topped with a hint of citrus.

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