Coffee Association Of Canada Announces 2025 Award Winners Celebrating Excellence In The Coffee Community – CoffeeTalk

The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC), is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 CAC Awards, presented at the annual CAC Conference on November 5 in Toronto. These awards honour exceptional leadership, innovation, sustainability, and community impact across Canada’s coffee sector.

2025 CAC Award Winners:

• Innovative Achievement Award – RFINE Biomass Solutions
• Sustainability Award – Café William
• Small Chain – Big Impact – Coffee Bike World
• Volunteer of the Year – Dave Ovenell (BUNN)
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Doug Eland (Eland Logistics)

“The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC) Awards shine a spotlight on the people and organizations who move the coffee industry forward,” said Robert Carter, President of the Coffee Association of Canada. “This year’s winners reflect the innovation, dedication, and leadership that continue to shape Canada’s vibrant coffee community. We are thrilled to celebrate them and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure a prosperous future for Canada’s coffee sector.”

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Innovative Achievement Award – RFINE Biomass Solutions
With millions of tonnes of coffee grounds sent to landfills each year, RFINE Biomass Solutions saw potential instead of waste. The company developed technology that turns spent coffee grounds into high-value, sustainable food ingredients, delivering environmental and economic benefits across the supply chain.

“Receiving the Coffee Association of Canada’s Innovative Achievement Award means a great deal to our team at RFINE,” said President, Quinn Cavanagh. “Being recognized by CAC reinforces our mission to make the coffee industry more sustainable.”

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Small Chain – Big Impact Award – Coffee Bike World
This award recognizes a small Canadian coffee business that is generating an impact in the industry. Coffee Bike World began as a single mobile cart in a Vancouver garage and has grown into a thriving mobile business model, empowering entrepreneurs to bring specialty coffee directly to communities.

“Winning the 2025 CAC Small Chain – Big Impact Award means the world to us,” said Founder, Vladislav Priadko. “It’s a reminder that even a small idea, when fueled by passion and community, can grow far beyond expectations.”

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Sustainability Award – Café William
The Sustainability Award honours organizations driving meaningful environmental and social responsibility across the global coffee supply chain.

Café William has emerged as a global leader in sustainable operations. The company became the first in Canada to ship full containers of green coffee by sailboat—dramatically reducing maritime emissions—and built the world’s first industrial-scale, 100% electric coffee roastery powered entirely by renewable hydroelectricity.

“This recognition underlines the daily commitment of our entire team to a more fair and environmentally friendly coffee,” said Rémi Tremblay.

“Thank you to the CAC and to our partners and customers who share our vision of sustainable coffee.”

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Volunteer of the Year – Dave Ovenell (BUNN)
Volunteers are essential to CAC’s mission, and this year’s award recognizes long-standing member and leader Dave Ovenell. Dave has served on the CAC Board, including as Treasurer, and continues to support the association as an active member of the new Membership Committee.
“Dave’s commitment and belief in collaboration make him an invaluable part of the CAC family—and a true ambassador for the Canadian coffee industry,” said CAC President, Robert Carter.

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Lifetime Achievement Award – Doug Eland (Eland Logistics)
The Coffee Industry Lifetime Achievement Award is CAC’s highest honour, recognizing an individual whose contributions have made a profound, lasting impact on the Canadian coffee community.

Doug Eland has been a driving force in Canada’s green coffee sector since the 1980s. He founded Eland Logistics Inc., one of Toronto’s earliest green coffee logistics and warehousing companies and grew it into a respected national operation defined by service, reliability, and deep industry knowledge. Doug’s career has been marked by mentorship, global learning, and a passion for strengthening every link of the coffee chain.

“Doug’s contributions have shaped the foundation of Canada’s green coffee industry — and his legacy will continue to influence the next generation of coffee professionals,” said CAC President, Robert Carter.
The Coffee Association of Canada congratulates all 2025 award recipients and thanks everyone who submitted nominations.
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About the Coffee Association of Canada
The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and enjoyment of coffee in Canada. For over 20 years, CAC has represented roasters, retailers, importers, suppliers, and coffee enthusiasts, serving as the industry’s expert and advocate to support a prosperous future for Canadian coffee.