Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this
__________________ day of ______________________, 2004 (the "Effective Date") by
and between DAVID GORDON (the "Executive") and COFFEE HOLDING CO., INC., a
Nevada corporation (the "Company").

                                   BACKGROUND

         WHEREAS the Executive has and is expected to continue to make a major
contribution to the growth, profitability and financial strength of the Company;
and

         WHEREAS the Company desires to retain the services of the Executive,
and the Executive desires to be retained by the Company, on the terms and
conditions set forth below.

         NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, and in consideration of
the premises and the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.1 Definitions. The following terms, when used in this
Agreement, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise (such definitions to be equally applicable to both the
singular and plural of the defined terms):

                  (a) "Affiliate" means, (a) with respect to the Executive, any
         other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or
         under common Control with the Executive and (b) with respect to the
         Company, (i) any Person which directly or indirectly beneficially owns
         (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) securities or other equity interests
         possessing more than 50% of the aggregate voting power in the election
         of directors (or similar governing body) represented by all outstanding
         securities of the Company or (ii) any Person with respect to which the
         Company beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d promulgated
         under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) securities or
         other equity interests possessing more than 50% of the aggregate voting
         power in the election of directors (or similar governing body)
         represented by, or more than 50% of the aggregate value of, all
         outstanding securities or other equity interests of such Person.

                  (b) "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in section
         3.1.

                  (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  (d) "Cause" means an omission, act or action or series of
         omissions, acts or actions of the Executive which, in the determination
         of the Board, cause(s), constitute(s) or result(s) in:

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                           (i) the Executive's material dishonesty including,
                  without limitation, theft, fraud, embezzlement, financial
                  misrepresentation or other similar behavior or action in his
                  dealings with or with respect to the Company or any Affiliate
                  thereof or entity with which the Company or any Affiliate
                  thereof, shall be engaged in or be attempting to engage in
                  commerce;

                           (ii) the conviction of the Executive for, or the
                  Executive's entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to,
                  the commission of a felony;

                           (iii) the willful refusal of the Executive to follow
                  the lawful directives of the Board with respect to his duties
                  hereunder, which directives shall be consistent with his
                  duties and position as President of the Company, as set forth
                  in this Agreement, and which refusal is not cured by the
                  Executive within thirty (30) calendar days after written
                  notice from the Board of the Company to the Executive setting
                  forth with reasonable specificity the nature thereof; or

                           (iv) the material breach of any material provision of
                  this Agreement which is not cured by the Executive within
                  thirty (30) calendar days after written notice from the Board
                  to the Executive setting forth with reasonable specificity the
                  nature of such breach, unless the breach is of such nature
                  that it cannot be cured within such thirty (30) day period, in
                  which case such period will be extended by a reasonable amount
                  of time if, and only if (a) such breach is curable and (b)
                  during such thirty (30) day period the Executive commences
                  good faith efforts which can reasonably be expected to cure
                  such breach as promptly as is reasonably practicable.

                  (e) "Change in Control" shall mean any one of the following:

                           (i) the acquisition by any person or entity,
                  excluding, for this purpose, the Company, Sterling Gordon,
                  Rachelle Gordon and Andrew Gordon, and any parent,
                  parent-in-law, spouse, child, sibling, brother-in-law,
                  sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and/or son-in-law of any of
                  them (each a "Group Member") and any employee benefit plan of
                  the Company, of Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more of the
                  combined voting power of the then outstanding securities
                  entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
                  ("Voting Securities"), of the Company; and

                           (ii) the approval by the stockholder or stockholders
                  of any of the Company of (a) a reorganization, merger,
                  consolidation or other business combination (other than any
                  reorganization, merger, consolidation or other business
                  combination with an Affiliate of the entity to be reorganized,
                  merged, consolidated or otherwise combined) of the Company
                  with respect to which the stockholder or stockholders of such
                  entity immediately prior to consummation of such
                  reorganization, merger, consolidation or other business
                  combination do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50%
                  of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting
                  Securities of the surviving corporation, or (b) the sale, to a
                  person or entity other than a Group Member, of all or
                  substantially all of the assets of the Company.

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                  For purposes of this section 1.1(e):

                           "Affiliate" means a person or entity that directly,
                  or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or
                  is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person
                  or entity specified.

                           "Beneficial Ownership" shall be determined within the
                  meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

                           "Person" shall include persons as that term is
                  understood under Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the
                  Exchange Act.

                           "Voting Securities" shall be deemed to include all
                  outstanding securities of a corporation that are then
                  exchangeable or convertible into securities of that
                  corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors, as if same shall have been exchanged or converted
                  into such voting securities.

                  (f) "Confidential Information" means:

                           (i) proprietary information, trade secrets and
                  know-how of the Company and its Affiliates;

                           (ii) confidential information relating to the
                  business, operations, systems, networks, services, data bases,
                  customer lists, pricing policies, business plans, marketing
                  plans, product development plans, strategies, inventions and
                  research of the Company or its Affiliates; and

                           (iii) confidential information relating to the
                  financial affairs and results of operations and forecasts or
                  projections of the Company or its Affiliates;

         provided that information shall not constitute Confidential Information
         if such information: (i) is generally known by Persons other than the
         Company or its Affiliates or Persons employed by, in control of or
         otherwise affiliated with the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) is known
         by Persons other than the Company or its Affiliates or Persons employed
         by, in control of or otherwise affiliated with the Company or its
         Affiliates by reason of the action of such Person or Persons other than
         the Executive or any Person acting at the Executive's direction or with
         the Executive's consent, (iii) was known by the Executive, by lawful
         means, prior to the date of the Executive's employment with the Company
         or (iv) is compelled to be disclosed by law, regulation or legal
         process.

                  (g) "Control" (including the terms "Controlled by" and "under
         common Control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or
         as a trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction
         of the management of a Person, whether through the ownership of stock,
         as a trustee or executor, by contract or credit agreement or otherwise.

                  (h) "Disability" means any physical or mental condition which
         renders Executive incapable of performing his essential functions and
         duties hereunder as determined in good faith by the Board.

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                  (i) "Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
         preamble.

                  (j) "Employment Term" shall have the meaning set forth in
         section 2.2.

                  (k) "Good Reason" means:

                           (i) the assignment to Executive, without Executive's
                  expressed written approval, of duties or responsibilities
                  materially inconsistent with the Executive's position of
                  President of the Company, or any material reduction in
                  Executive's duties, responsibilities or authority from those
                  in effect on the date hereof;

                           (ii) the Company's failure to continue in effect any
                  material benefit plan, program or policy in which Executive is
                  participating (other than any plan, program or policy which is
                  available to the salaried employees of the Company generally),
                  or the taking of any action by the Company that would
                  adversely affect Executive's participation in or materially
                  reduce Executive's benefits under any such benefit plan,
                  program or policy or that would deprive Executive of any
                  material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive; provided,
                  however, that no Good Reason shall occur if the aggregate
                  value of the benefit plans, programs and policies in which the
                  Executive is participating remains substantially equivalent;

                           (iii) a relocation of the Executive's primary place
                  of employment to any location that is both (a) greater than 50
                  miles away from the location at which Executive is currently
                  working, and (b) greater than 50 miles away from the
                  Executor's primary residence, except for required travel by
                  Executive on the Company's business to an extent substantially
                  consistent with Executive's past business travel obligations;

                           (iv) any material breach of any material provision of
                  this Agreement by the Company; or

                           (v) the date three months after the occurrence of a
                  Change in Control;

         which, in any case described in Sections 1.1(k)(i), (ii), (iii) or
         (iv), is not cured by the Company within thirty (30) calendar days
         after written notice from the Executive to the Board setting forth with
         reasonable specificity the nature of such breach or event, unless the
         breach or event is of such nature that it cannot be cured within such
         thirty (30) day period, in which case such period will be extended by a
         reasonable amount of time if, and only if (a) such breach is curable
         and (b) during such thirty (30) day period the Company commences good
         faith efforts which can reasonably be expected to cure such breach as
         promptly as is reasonably practicable. For purposes of this Agreement,
         any action or inaction described in Sections 1.1(k)(i), (ii), (iii) or
         (iv) shall constitute Good Reason only if written notice thereof as
         contemplated by the preceding sentence is given within 180 days after
         the date on which such action or inaction first occurs (or, if later,
         the earliest date on which the Executive knows or reasonably should
         know of such action or inaction).

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                  (l) "Initial Term" means the first period that this Agreement
         is in effect, as set forth in section 2.2.

                  (m) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
         association, limited liability company or partnership, trust,
         government, governmental agency or body, or any other group or entity,
         no matter how organized and whether or not for profit.

                  (n) "Renewal Term" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.2.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               EMPLOYMENT AND TERM

         Section 2.1 Employment. The Company employs Executive and the Executive
hereby agrees to such employment by the Company during the Employment Term to
serve as Executive Vice President-Operations of the Company, with the customary
duties, authorities and responsibilities associated with such position and such
other duties, authorities and responsibilities relative to the Company or its
Affiliates that: (a) have been agreed upon by the Company and Executive or (b)
may from time to time be delegated to Executive by the Board.

         Section 2.2 Employment Term.

                  (a) Initial Term. The "Initial Term" of this Agreement shall
         commence on the Effective Date, and unless sooner terminated as
         provided in Article IV, shall continue until the fifth anniversary of
         such date.

                  (b) Renewal Term. On the day after the Effective Date and on
         each day thereafter, the Employment Agreement shall be extended by one
         day, such that on any date the Employment Term will expire on the day
         before the fifth (5th) anniversary of such date. These extensions shall
         continue in perpetuity until discontinued by: (i) notice to the
         Executive given by the Company that they have elected to discontinue
         the extensions; (ii) notice by the Executive to the Company that he has
         elected to discontinue the extensions; or (iii) termination of the
         Executive's employment with the Company, whether by resignation,
         discharge or otherwise. On the date on which such a notice is deemed
         given, or on the effective date of a termination of the Executive's
         employment with the Company, the Employment Period shall be converted
         to a fixed period of five (5) years ending on the day before the fifth
         (5th) anniversary of such date. For all purposes of this Agreement, the
         term "Renewal Term" shall mean the period covered by any such
         extension.

                  (c) Employment Term. For all purposes of this Agreement, the
         term "Employment Term" shall mean the Initial Term and all Renewal
         Terms. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, any
         reference in this Agreement to the term "Remaining Unexpired Employment
         Term" as of any date shall mean the period beginning on such date and
         ending on the last day of the Employment Term.

                  (d) Full Working Time. During the Employment Term, the
         Executive shall devote his ability and attention, all of his skill and
         experience and efforts during normal business hours and at such other
         times as the performance of his duties hereunder may reasonably require
         to the proper performance of his duties hereunder and to the business
         and affairs of the Company. During the Employment Term, the Executive,
         without the prior written approval of the Board, shall not, either
         directly or indirectly, actively participate in any other business or
         accept any employment or business office whatsoever, including, without
         limitation, serving as a director, from any other Person; provided,
         however, that the foregoing shall not preclude the Executive, subject
         to Article V, from:

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                           (i) serving as a director of or actually
                  participating in any non-profit or charitable organization or

                           (ii) making an investment in any other business, so
                  long as the Executive does not actively participate in another
                  business referred to in Section 2.3 and such activity, whether
                  described in Section 2.3(i) or 2.3(ii), does not materially
                  interfere with the Executive's ability to perform his duties
                  hereunder and does not constitute a conflict of interest with
                  the Company in the reasonable opinion of the Board.

                                   ARTICLE III

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         Section 3.1 Base Salary. During the Employment Term, as compensation
for services hereunder and in consideration for the protective covenants set
forth in Article V of this Agreement, Executive shall be paid an annual base
salary of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) or such greater amount as
may from time to time be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board
(the "Base Salary"). Base Salary shall be paid to Executive in accordance with
the Company's normal payroll practices.

         Section 3.2 Bonus. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be
eligible to receive an annual bonus that will be determined in accordance with
the bonus program established by the Board from time to time.

         Section 3.3 Benefits. To the maximum extent that he is eligible under
the terms of the applicable plan or program, the Executive shall participate in
any and all plans or programs maintained by the Company for its employees and/or
senior executives generally that provide insurance, medical benefits, retirement
benefits, or similar fringe benefits. In addition, the Executive shall be
entitled to four weeks of paid vacation each calendar year of the Employment
Term, which must be taken in accordance with the Company's vacation policy then
in effect.

         Section 3.4 Indemnification and Insurance.

                  (a) D&O Insurance. The Company shall cause the Executive to be
         covered by and named as an insured under any policy or contract of
         insurance obtained by it to insure its directors and officers against
         personal liability for acts or omissions in connection with service as
         an officer or director of the Company or service in other capacities at
         its request. The coverage provided to the Executive pursuant to this
         section shall be of the same scope and on the same terms and conditions
         as the coverage (if any) provided to other officers or directors of the
         Company and shall continue for so long as the Executive shall be
         subject to personal liability relating to such service to the extent
         permitted under the Nevada General Corporation Law.

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                  (b) Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted under
         applicable law, the Company shall indemnify the Executive against and
         hold him harmless from any costs, liabilities, losses and exposures to
         the fullest extent and on the most favorable terms and conditions that
         similar indemnification is offered to any director or officer of the
         Company or any subsidiary or Affiliate thereof and shall continue for
         so long as the Executive shall be subject to personal liability
         relating to such service to the extent permitted under the Nevada
         General Corporation Law.

         Section 3.5 Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive
for reasonable business expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive
during the Employment Term, in the performance of his services hereunder;
provided, however, that such expenses are consistent with the Company policy.
Such payment or reimbursement is expressly conditioned upon presentation of
expense statements or vouchers or other supporting documentation by the
Executive in a manner that is acceptable to the Company and otherwise in
accordance with the Company policy then in effect.

         Section 3.6 Deductions. The Company shall deduct from all compensation
or benefits payable pursuant to this Agreement such payroll, withholding and
other taxes as may in the reasonable opinion of the Company be required by law
and any such additional amounts requested in writing by the Executive.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   TERMINATION

         Section 4.1 General. The Company shall have the right to terminate the
employment of the Executive at any time with or without Cause, and the Executive
shall have the right to resign at any time with or without Good Reason, but the
relative rights and obligations of the parties in the event of any such
termination or resignation shall be determined under this Agreement.

         Section 4.2 Termination Under Certain Circumstances.

                  (a) Termination Without Severance Benefits. In the event the
         Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
         expiration of the Employment Term by reason of (i) the Executive's
         resignation without Good Reason, (ii) the Executive's death or (iii)
         the Executive's discharge by the Company for Cause, this Agreement
         shall terminate including, without limitation, the Company's
         obligations to provide any compensation, benefits or severance to the
         Executive under Article IV of this Agreement or otherwise, other than
         the Standard Termination Entitlements (as defined in section 4.4).

                  (b) Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive's
         employment upon the Executive's Disability. In such event, in addition
         to the Standard Termination Entitlements (as defined in section 4.4),
         the Company shall continue to pay the Executive his Base Salary in
         accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices, at the annual
         rate in effect for him immediately prior to the termination of his
         employment, during a period ending on the earliest of: (i) the date on
         which long-term disability insurance benefits are first payable to him
         under any long-term disability insurance plan covering employees of the
         Company and providing an annual benefit for the Executive at least
         equal to 60% of Base Salary; and (ii) the date of his death; and (iii)
         the expiration of the Remaining Unexpired Employment Term. A
         termination of employment due to Disability under this section 4.2(b)
         shall be effected by notice of termination given to the Executive by
         the Company and shall take effect on the later of the effective date of
         termination specified in such notice or the date on which the notice of
         termination is deemed given to the Executive.

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                  (c) Termination with Severance Benefits. In the event that the
         Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Executive
         prior to the expiration of the Employment Term for Good Reason or by
         the Company prior to the expiration of the Employment Term other than
         for Cause or Disability, the Company shall pay the Standard Termination
         Entitlements (as defined in section 4.4) and the Severance Benefits (as
         defined in section 4.5); provided, however, that any payment required
         by this section 4.2(c) is expressly conditioned upon:

                           (i) The Executive's compliance in all material
                  respects with the material terms of this Agreement, including,
                  without limitation, the applicable provisions of Article V;
                  and

                           (ii) The Executive's resignation from any and all
                  positions which he holds as an officer, director or committee
                  member with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof.

         Section 4.3 Liquidated Damages. The Company and Executive hereby
stipulate that the damages which may be incurred by the Executive as a
consequence of any such termination of employment are not capable of accurate
measurement as of the date first above written and that the liquidated damages
payments provided for in this Agreement constitute a reasonable estimate under
the circumstances of, and are in full satisfaction of, all damages sustained as
a consequence of any such termination of employment.

         Section 4.4 Standard Termination Entitlements. For all purposes of this
Agreement, the Executive's "Standard Termination Entitlements" shall mean and
include:

                  (a) the Executive's earned but unpaid compensation (including,
         without limitation, salary, bonus, and all other items which constitute
         wages under applicable law) as of the date of his termination of
         employment. This payment shall be made at the time and in the manner
         prescribed by law applicable to the payment of wages but in no event
         later than 30 days after the date of the Executive's termination of
         employment.

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                  (b) the benefits, if any, due to the Executive (and the
         Executive's estate, surviving dependents or his designated
         beneficiaries) under the employee benefit plans and programs and
         compensation plans and programs (including stock option plans)
         maintained for the benefit of the officers and employees of the
         Company). The time and manner of payment or other delivery of these
         benefits and the recipients of such benefits shall be determined
         according to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and
         programs.

         Section 4.5 Severance Benefits. For all purposes of this Agreement, the
Executive's "Severance Benefits" shall mean and include:

                  (a) During the Remaining Unexpired Employment Term, the
         Company shall provide for the Executive and his dependents continued
         group life, health (including hospitalization, medical and major
         medical), dental, accident and long-term disability insurance benefits
         on substantially the same terms and conditions (including any required
         premium-sharing arrangements, co-payments and deductibles) in effect
         for them immediately prior to the Executive's termination. The coverage
         provided under this section may, at the election of the Company, be
         secondary to the coverage provided as part of the Standard Termination
         Entitlements and to any employer-paid coverage provided by a subsequent
         employer or through Medicare, with the result that benefits under the
         other coverages will offset the coverage required by this section.

                  (b) The Company shall make a lump sum payment to the Executive
         (or, in the event of his death before payment, to his estate), in an
         amount (without discount for early payment) equal to the value of the
         salary that Executive would have earned if he had continued working for
         the Company during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period at the
         highest annual rate of salary achieved during that portion of the
         Employment Period which is prior to Executive's termination of
         employment with the Company. Such lump sum shall be paid in lieu of all
         other payments of salary provided for under this Agreement in respect
         of the period following any such termination within thirty (30) days
         following the Executive's termination of employment.

                  (c) The Company shall make a lump sum payment to the Executive
         (or, in the event of his death before payment, to his estate), in an
         amount equal to the payments that would have been made to Executive
         under any cash bonus or long-term or short-term cash incentive
         compensation plan maintained by, or covering employees of, the Company
         if he had continued working for the Company during the Remaining
         Unexpired Employment Period and had earned the maximum bonus or
         incentive award in each calendar year that ends during the Remaining
         Unexpired Employment Period, such payments to be equal to the product
         of:

                           (i) the maximum percentage rate at which an award was
                  ever available to Executive under such incentive compensation
                  plan; multiplied by

                           (ii) the salary that would have been paid to
                  Executive during each such calendar year at the highest annual
                  rate of salary achieved during that portion of the Employment
                  Period which is prior to Executive's termination of employment
                  with the Company.

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         Such payment shall be made (without discount for early payment) within
         thirty (30) days following the Executive's termination of employment.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

         Section 5.1 Proprietary Information. In the event that the Executive
leaves the employ of the Company due to the Company's discharge of the Executive
for Cause or the Executive's voluntary resignation from his employment hereunder
without Good Reason, the Executive shall deliver to the Company (and shall not
keep in his possession, recreate or deliver to anyone other than the Company or
its designee) any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals,
lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches,
materials, equipment, other documents or property, together with all copies
thereof (in whatever medium recorded) belonging to the Company or any Affiliate
thereof or any of their respective successors or assigns.

         Section 5.2 Non-Competition. During his employment with the Company and
continuing for one year thereafter (but only if the Executive's employment
hereunder is terminated due to the Company's discharge of the Executive for
Cause, or the Executive's voluntary resignation from his employment hereunder
without Good Reason), the Executive agrees, and shall cause each Person
Controlled by him to agree, that any such Person shall not, directly or
indirectly, through any Person Controlled by the Executive, in any form or
manner in the State of New York: (a) engage in any activities competitive with
the business of the Company and its Affiliates for his or their own account or
for the account of any other Person, or (b) become interested in any Person
engaged in activities competitive with the business of the Company and its
Affiliates as a partner, shareholder, member, principal, agent, employee,
trustee, consultant or in any other relationship or capacity; provided, however,
that Executive may own, directly or indirectly, solely as a passive investment,
securities of any Person if the Executive (x) is not a Person in Control of, or
a member of a group that Controls, such Person and (y) does not, directly or
indirectly, own 5% or more of any voting class of securities of such Person. For
purposes of this section 5.2, the business of the Company and Affiliates shall
mean the roasting, blending, packaging and distribution of coffee for sale.

         Section 5.3 Non-Solicitation. During his employment with the Company
and for a period of one year thereafter (but only if the Executive's employment
hereunder is terminated due to the Company's discharge of the Executive for
Cause, or the Executive's voluntary resignation from his employment hereunder
without Good Reason), the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, use
proprietary knowledge or information relating to the Company or its Affiliates
obtained during the course of Executive's employment with the Company with the
intention to, or which a reasonable person would construe to (a) interfere with
or disrupt any present or prospective relationship, contractual or otherwise,
between the Company or its Affiliates and any customer, supplier, employee,
consultant or other person having business dealings with the Company or its
Affiliates, or (b) employ or solicit the employment or engagement by others of
any employee or consultant of the Company or its Affiliates who was such an
employee or consultant at the time of termination of the Executive's employment
hereunder or within one year prior thereto.

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         Section 5.4 Non-Disclosure. Except with the prior written consent of
the Company in each instance or as may be reasonably necessary to perform the
Executive's services hereunder, the Executive shall not disclose, use, publish,
or in any other manner reveal, directly or indirectly, at any time during or
after his employment with the Company, any Confidential Information relating to
the Company or any Affiliate thereof acquired by him prior to, during the course
of, or incident to, his employment hereunder. In the event Executive is required
(by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in
legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process) to
disclose any such Confidential Information, the Executive shall provide the
Company with prompt written notice of such requirement so that the Company may
seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with
the provisions of this Section. If, in the absence of such a protective order or
other remedy or receipt of a waiver by the Company, the Executive is nonetheless
advised by his legal counsel that he is legally compelled to disclose such
Confidential Information, the Executive may, without liability hereunder,
disclose only that portion of such Confidential Information which such counsel
advises in writing is legally required to be disclosed.

         Section 5.5 Reasonable Limitations. Executive acknowledges that given
the nature of the Company's business the covenants contained in this Article V
contain reasonable limitations as to time, geographical area and scope of
activity to be restrained, and do not impose a greater restraint than is
necessary to protect and preserve the Company's business and to protect the
Company's legitimate business interests. If, however, this Article V is
determined by any court of competent jurisdiction or any arbitrator to be
unenforceable by reason of its extending for too long a period of time or over
too large a geographic area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other
respect, or for any other reason, it will be interpreted to extend only over the
longest period of time for which it may be enforceable and/or over the largest
geographical area as to which it may be enforceable and/or to the maximum extent
in all other aspects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by
such court or arbitrator in such action.

         Section 5.6 Remedies for Breach. Executive acknowledges that the legal
remedies for breach of the protective covenants hereunder are inadequate and
therefore agrees that, in addition to all of the remedies available to the
Company in the event of a breach or a threatened breach of any covenant
contained in this Article V, the Company may: (a) obtain temporary, preliminary,
and permanent injunctions and any other appropriate equitable relief against any
and all such actions, (b) cease as of the date of such breach or threatened
breach any and all further payments to Executive pursuant to this Agreement and
(c) recover from Executive monetary damages to the Company or any Affiliate
arising from such breach or threatened breach and all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Company or any Affiliate
in the enforcement of such protective covenants.

         Section 5.7 Affiliates of the Company. The provisions of this Article V
shall benefit the business and proprietary rights of the Company's Affiliates
and shall be enforceable against Executive by each of such Affiliates as third
party beneficiaries.

         Section 5.8 Survival of Protective Covenants. Each covenant on the part
of Executive contained in this Article V shall be construed as an agreement
independent of any other provision of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated
herein, and shall survive the termination of Executive's employment under this
Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive
against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall
not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenant.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         Section 6.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly received if so given) by hand delivery, telegram, telex
or telecopy, or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested) or by any courier service, providing proof of delivery. All
communications hereunder shall be delivered to the respective parties at the
following addresses:

         If to the Executive:       David Gordon
                                    22 Barclay Avenue
                                    Edgemont, NY 10583

          If to the Company:        Coffee Holding Co, Inc.
                                    4401 First Avenue
                                    Brooklyn, NY  11232

                                    Attn:  Compensation Committee

         with copy to:              Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP
                                    1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800
                                    Washington, DC  20006

                                    Attn:  Matthew Dyckman, Esq.

or to such other address as the party to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the other parties hereto in writing in the manner set
forth above.

         Section 6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the
entire agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the
Company's employment of the Executive and supersedes any and all prior
agreements and understandings, written or oral, with respect thereto.

         Section 6.3 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be
amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either
generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), only by (a) an instrument in writing and signed by the party
against whom such amendment or waiver is sought to be enforced, and (b) in the
case of the Company, such amendment or waiver also must be duly authorized by an
appropriate resolution of the Board.

         Section 6.4 Successors and Assigns. The Company shall have the right to
assign this Agreement. The personal services of the Executive are the subject of
this Agreement and no part of his rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned, transferred, pledged or encumbered by the Executive. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon (a) the parties hereto, (b)
the heirs, administrators, executors and personal representatives of the
Executive and (c) the successors and assigns of the Company as provided herein.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         Section 6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement, including the validity
hereof and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, and all
amendments and supplements hereof and all waivers and consents hereunder, shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New
York without giving effect to any conflicts of law provisions or rule, that
would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

         Section 6.6 Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement as
applied to any part or to any circumstance shall be adjudged by a court to be
invalid or unenforceable, the same shall in no way affect any other provision of
this Agreement, the application of such provision in any other circumstances or
the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

         Section 6.7 No Conflicts. The Executive represents to the Company that
the execution, delivery and performance by the Executive of this Agreement does
not and will not conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or
constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
contract, agreement or understanding, whether oral or written, to which the
Executive is or was a party or of which the Executive is or should be aware.

         Section 6.8 Survival. The rights and obligations of the Company and
Executive pursuant to Articles IV, V and VII shall survive the termination of
the Executive's employment with the Company and the expiration of the Employment
Term.

         Section 6.9 Captions. The headings and captions used in this Agreement
are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or
interpreting this Agreement.

         Section 6.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         Section 6.11 Non-duplication. In the event that the Executive shall
perform services for any Affiliate of the Company or any other direct or
indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any Affiliate, any
compensation or benefits provided to the Executive by such other employer shall
be applied to offset the obligations of the Company hereunder, it being intended
that this Agreement set forth the aggregate compensation and benefits payable to
the Executive for all services to the Company, its Affiliates and all of their
respective direct or indirect subsidiaries and affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               TAX INDEMNIFICATION

         Section 7.1 Tax Indemnification.

                  (a) If the Executive's employment terminates under
         circumstances entitling him (or in the event of his death, his estate)
         to the Severance Benefits, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or
         in the event of his death, his estate) an additional amount intended to
         indemnify him against the financial effects of the excise tax imposed

                                       13
<PAGE>

         on excess parachute payments under section 280G of the Internal Revenue
         Code (the "Tax Indemnity Payment"). The Tax Indemnity Payment shall be
         determined under the following formula:

X     =                       E x P
            --------------------------------------------
                  1 - [(FI x (1 - SLI)) + SLI + E + M]

     where

E     =     the percentage rate at which an excise tax is assessed under section
            4999 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code");

P     =     the amount with respect to which such excise tax is assessed,
            determined without regard to this section 7.1;

FI    =     the highest marginal rate of income tax applicable to the Executive
            under the Code for the taxable year in question;

SLI   =     the sum of the highest marginal rates of income tax applicable to
            the Executive under all applicable state and local laws for the
            taxable year in question; and

M     =     the highest marginal rate of Medicare tax applicable to the
            Executive under the Code for the taxable year in question.

         Such computation shall be made at the expense of the Company by an
         attorney or a firm of independent certified public accountants selected
         by the Executive and reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the "Tax
         Advisor") and shall be based on the following assumptions: (i) that a
         change in ownership, a change in effective ownership or control, or a
         change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets, of the
         Company has occurred within the meaning of section 280G of the Code (a
         "280G Change of Control"); (ii) that all direct or indirect payments
         made to or benefits conferred upon the Executive on account of his
         termination of employment are "parachute payments" within the meaning
         of section 280G of the Code; and (iii) that no portion of such payments
         is reasonable compensation for services rendered prior to the
         Executive's termination of employment.

                  (b) With respect to any payment that is presumed to be a
         parachute payment for purposes of section 280G of the Code, the Tax
         Indemnity Payment shall be made to the Executive on the earlier of the
         date the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of
         the Company is required to withhold such tax or the date the tax is
         required to be paid by the Executive, unless, prior to such date, the
         Company delivers to the Executive the written opinion, in form and
         substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, of the Tax Advisor
         or of an attorney or firm of independent certified public accountants
         selected by the Company and reasonably satisfactory to the Executive,
         to the effect that the Executive has a reasonable basis on which to
         conclude that (i) no 280G Change in Control has occurred, or (ii) all
         or part of the payment or benefit in question is not a parachute
         payment for purposes of section 280G of the Code, or (iii) all or a
         part of such payment or benefit constitutes reasonable compensation for
         services rendered prior to the 280G Change of Control, or (iv) for some
         other reason which shall be set forth in detail in such letter, no
         excise tax is due under section 4999 of the Code with respect to such
         payment or benefit (the "Opinion Letter"). If the Company delivers an
         Opinion Letter, the Tax Advisor shall recompute, and the Company shall
         make, the Tax Indemnity Payment in reliance on the information
         contained in the Opinion Letter.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  (c) In the event that the Executive's liability for the excise
         tax under section 4999 of the Code for a taxable year is subsequently
         determined to be different than the amount with respect to which the
         Tax Indemnity Payment is made, the Executive or the Company, as the
         case may be, shall pay to the other party at the time that the amount
         of such excise tax is finally determined, an appropriate amount, plus
         interest, such that the payment made under section 7.1(b), when
         increased by the amount of the payment made to the Executive under this
         section 7.1(c), or when reduced by the amount of the payment made to
         the Company under this section 7.1(c), equals the amount that should
         have properly been paid to the Executive under section 7.1(a). The
         interest paid to the Company under this section 7.1(c) shall be
         determined at the rate provided under section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the
         Code. The payment made to the Executive shall include such amount of
         interest as is necessary to satisfy any interest assessment made by the
         Internal Revenue Service and an additional amount equal to any monetary
         penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service on account of an
         underpayment of the excise tax. To confirm that the proper amount, if
         any, was paid to the Executive under this section 7.1, the Executive
         shall furnish to the Company a copy of each tax return which reflects a
         liability for an excise tax, at least 20 days before the date on which
         such return is required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
         Nothing in this Agreement shall give the Company any right to control
         or otherwise participate in any action, suit or proceeding to which the
         Executive is a party as a result of positions taken on his federal
         income tax return with respect to his liability for excise taxes under
         section 4999 of the Code.

                                       15
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

ATTEST:

By:
    --------------------------------            --------------------------------
    Name:                                       DAVID GORDON
    Title:

ATTEST:                                         COFFEE HOLDING CO., INC.

By:
    --------------------------------            --------------------------------
    Name:                                       Name:
    Title:                                      Title:

                                       16<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

                            LOCK-UP LETTER AGREEMENT
         [FORM OF LETTER TO BE SIGNED BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND CERTAIN
                    STOCKHOLDERS OF COFFEE HOLDING CO., INC.]

Maxim Group LLC
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10174

Dear Sirs:

The undersigned understands that Maxim Group LLC (the "Underwriter") proposes to
enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with Coffee
Holding Co., Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), providing for the
initial public offering by the Underwriter of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company (the "Initial Public Offering").

In consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the
Underwriter, and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned
hereby irrevocably agrees that, without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter, the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for
sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or
device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition
by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock
(including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be
beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and shares of Common Stock
that may be issued upon exercise of any option or warrant) or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or any substantially similar
securities now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned, or sell or grant
options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of Common Stock or
substantially similar securities or (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives
transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic
benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such
transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of
Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, for a period of nine (9)
months after the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the
Initial Public Offering.

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its Transfer Agent are hereby
authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would
constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.

It is understood that, if the Company notifies the undersigned that it does not
intend to proceed with the Initial Public Offering, if the Underwriting
Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other
than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be
terminated prior to payment for and delivery of any shares of Common Stock by
the Underwriter and the Company, the undersigned will be released from the
undersigned's obligations under this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.

<PAGE>

Maxim Group LLC
Page 2

The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter will proceed
with the Initial Public Offering in reliance on this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.

Whether or not the Initial Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number
of factors, including market conditions. The Initial Public Offering will only
be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation among the Company and the Underwriter.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon
request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in
connection with the enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall
be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of
the undersigned.

Very truly yours,

By:_________________________________
   Name:
   Title:

Dated:__________________________

                                      -2-

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