diff --git a/ahd2fhir/config.py b/ahd2fhir/config.py
index d6f2b7e..e7cd1ab 100644
--- a/ahd2fhir/config.py
+++ b/ahd2fhir/config.py
@@ -38,3 +38,4 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     # that value. It can be adjusted even lower to control
     # the expected time for normal rebalances.
     kafka_heartbeat_interval_ms: int = 3000
+    kafka_auto_offset_reset: str = "earliest"
diff --git a/ahd2fhir/kafka_setup.py b/ahd2fhir/kafka_setup.py
index aeb5a0e..398ad62 100644
--- a/ahd2fhir/kafka_setup.py
+++ b/ahd2fhir/kafka_setup.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ async def initialize_kafka(handler: ResourceHandler):  # pragma: no cover
         settings.kafka_input_topic,
         loop=loop,
         bootstrap_servers=settings.bootstrap_servers,
+        auto_offset_reset=settings.kafka_auto_offset_reset,
         group_id=group_id,
         max_poll_interval_ms=settings.kafka_max_poll_interval_ms,  # 600 s = 10 min
         max_poll_records=settings.kafka_max_poll_records,