BERKELEY, Calif., USA – Today, Bellwether Coffee, the technology company transforming retailers into sustainable on-site roasters, is releasing key findings from the Bellwether Coffee 2023 Impact Report. The report shows that in 2023, the fleet of Bellwether roasters around the world curbed more than 1.8 million pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
The Bellwether roaster reduces the carbon footprint of roasting by 87% compared to traditional gas-powered roasting.
“We are at the precipice of a significant movement in the coffee industry as it relates to the electrification of roasting and as a result, sustainability practices,” said Ricardo Lopez, founder and CEO of Bellwether.
“Coffee roasting accounts for 15% of the coffee industry’s carbon footprint and generates 41 billion pounds of carbon every year. Our mission is to provide better access to electric coffee roasting to help the industry reduce emissions while supporting coffee retailers in their journey to differentiate and drive revenue.”
In addition to the impact of its electric roasting on sustainability, the Bellwether report also outlines the adoption of its Living Income Pricing for the Bellwether Green Coffee Marketplace. Despite other interventions and the implementation of certifications across the coffee industry, 80% of the world’s 12 million coffee farmers still live below the poverty line.
To combat this enduring poverty crisis, Bellwether’s Living Income Pricing methodology analyzes origin-specific data on the cost of production, land size, and productivity. It sets a minimum price for green coffee to close the living income gap for producers. Last year, Bellwether purchased 71% of their coffees under Living Income Pricing, paying 78% more than the commodity price and 50% more than the Fairtrade minimum price.
“To create a more sustainable and equitable coffee industry, we believe that roasters and retailers must pay coffee farmers prices that provide a living income. Bellwether is committed to more equitable value distribution across the coffee supply chain to ensure the industry is fair, sustainable, and profitable for all,” added Grayson Caldwell, Director Of Sustainability & Impact at Bellwether.
Earlier this year, Bellwether launched The Bellwether Shop Roaster, the first compact, ventless commercial roaster for less than the cost of an espresso machine. Bellwether is experiencing significant momentum, including expanding to Asia and Europe, to meet growing demand for its electric roaster and empower more retailers to serve fresher coffee at a fraction of the cost. To date, Bellwether has helped reduce the carbon footprint by more than 5,798,290 pounds.
For more information about Bellwether Coffee and its Roasting Platform, visit https://bellwethercoffee.com/.
