ARLINGTON, Va., U.S. – Community Coffee has joined the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, committing to sustainable sourcing of 100% of its coffee by 2021. Community Coffee joins over 140 other partners, including corporations, governments, NGOs and research organizations that are all working together to make coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.
“In joining the Sustainable Coffee Challenge and stating a public commitment, Community Coffee joins a robust global network of sector leaders on the urgent journey to achieve our collective vision,” said Bambi Semroc, Vice President of Sustainable Markets and Strategy at Conservation International where she heads the Sustainable Coffee Challenge.
Through its membership in the Challenge, Community Coffee will build on its existing efforts to reduce its impact on the planet. As part of their existing partnership with coffee growers in the Toledo and Labateca communities of Colombia, Community Coffee has invested in new sustainable coffee sourcing and land preservation of farms. Through contributions to local farmers, Community Coffee has also supported use of sustainable equipment like solar-powered drying beds which reduce energy.
Sustaining the livelihoods of its coffee farming partners is also of great importance to Community Coffee. Through contributions to the ECOM Foundation, Community Coffee supports the education of children in the coffee growing communities of Chiapas, Mexico through the Chiapas Mexico School Program and the Grow Your School — Primary School Union initiative.
Funds from Community Coffee have improved technology in the classroom and helped arrange workshops with the Mexico Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to advance training in sustainable agriculture. “Sustainability is about more than just sustaining the Earth and the environment,” said Matt Saurage, 4th Generation Owner of Community Coffee and Founding Member of World Coffee Research. “It’s about sustaining the culture of coffee, the farmer, the community and the relationships we count on for a great cup of coffee.”
Conservation International has been working in the coffee sector for over 20 years. In December 2015 during the Paris Climate meetings, together with Starbucks and 17 founding partners, Conservation International launched the Sustainable Coffee Challenge with the goal of uniting the coffee industry —growers, traders, roasters, retailers, governments and NGOs—in an effort to make coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product. Now with over 140 partners, the Challenge partners are working together to scale up sustainable sourcing, renovate and rehabilitate coffee farms, improve labor practices and supply and map and monitor coffee and forests.
About Community Coffee Company
Community Coffee Company is the number one family-owned retail coffee brand in America offering an expansive line of premium coffees, coffee beverages and teas—all crafted with four generations of expertise. In 1919, “Cap” Saurage discovered the secret of making our special coffee. He named it “Community Coffee” out of appreciation for his community of friends and the customers he served. Four generations later, the family is still active in selecting, roasting and perfecting great-tasting blends for coffee lovers everywhere. True to its name, Community Coffee Company also created its own give back programs and dedicates approximately 2.5% of its pretax income to socially-responsible, philanthropic efforts. For additional information, please visit CommunityCoffee.com or connect with the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
About Conservation International
Conservation International uses science, policy and partnerships to protect the nature that people rely on for food, fresh water and livelihoods. Founded in 1987, Conservation International works in more than 30 countries on six continents to ensure a healthy, prosperous planet that supports us all. Learn more about Conservation International, the groundbreaking “Nature Is Speaking” campaign and its series of virtual reality projects: “Drop in the Ocean”, “My Africa,” “Under the Canopy” and “Valen’s Reef.” Follow Conservation International’s work on Conservation News, our blog, Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
About the Sustainable Coffee Challenge
The Sustainable Coffee Challenge convenes, unites and urges the coffee sector and conservation partners across the industry to spur the actions and investments necessary to make coffee the first sustainable agricultural product in the world. The Challenge is committed to stimulating demand for sustainable coffee across the value chain, from the policymaking level to the final consumer. By encouraging demand for sustainable coffee, it leads to investments that enable the transition to a sustainable production and ensuring the coffee we drink is a sustainable product.
