MILAN – Julius Meinl has launched an initiative to support Colombian coffee farmers, with a commitment to upskill the coffee farmers and help them achieve UTZ certification, the largest programme for sustainable farming of coffee in the world.
The Austrian premium coffee business, currently marketed in over 70 countries, hopes the new measures will increase production efficiency and quality, as well as improve farmers’ businesses, increasing their income and reducing vulnerability against market changes.
In the long term, Julius Meinl hopes to encourage young Colombians to remain in the business and ensure the passing of coffee knowledge and experience from generation to generation.
Partnering with 50 farms in the Tolima region, the wide-reaching measures will include:
- Installation of 25 coffee dryers. With them farmers can increase the quality of end product and market it at higher prices.
- UTZ certification for all farms in the first year, renewal in the following years
- Agronomist assistance (trainings, monitoring and evaluation)
- A school support programme to benefit the local community
Two premium Julius Meinl’s blends Poesia and Supreme UTZ were assigned to represent the Colombian Heritage project via having seal on all packs. Both blends contains coffee from Colombia, being a unique celebration of tradition, heritage and excellent taste.
Jeanette Meinl, Head of Green Coffee Purchasing at Julius Meinl Group, said:
“The heart of our business is our coffee and therefore coffee farmers – as a premium HoReCa focused company, it goes without saying that quality is essential. This initiative will further elevate the quality output Julius Meinl is renowned for, but moreover, the Colombian Heritage project is a commitment from Julius Meinl to the region of Tolima, to further upskill farmers and provide them with a springboard to greater economic security.”
Julius Meinl’s premium blends Poesia and Supreme UTZ are available for HoReCa customers.
