NEW YORK, U.S. — For its exceptional commitment to sustainability, improving coffee farmers’ livelihoods, and conserving forests, the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) received this Wednesday one of the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Standard-Setters Awards at the organization’s Annual Spring Gala.
“As a staunch advocate for rural communities, sustainably grown coffee, and climate change adaptation, the FNC stands behind the sustainable agriculture methods of Rainforest Alliance certification,” Rainforest Alliance highlighted in a statement.
Since its creation in 1927, the FNC has worked to improve quality of life of the over 540,000 coffee-growing families it represents nowadays.
“For Colombian coffee farmers, sustainability is closely linked to their raison d’être. So much so that over 236,000 coffee farms in Colombia meet some sustainability standard, and by 2027, when the FNC becomes 100 years old, we aspire to make all Colombian coffee sustainable,” said the FNC CEO, Roberto Vélez, upon receiving the recognition on behalf of the Colombian coffee growers.
The Rainforest Alliance Annual Gala is one of the most important events in the industry, honoring companies or individuals committed to transform agricultural and forestry supply chains, motivated by the need to stop deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and create a more sustainable future.
“The kind of transformational, global work the Rainforest Alliance undertakes would not be possible without the partnerships we have established with forward-thinking, progressive companies,” said Han de Groot, the Rainforest Alliance CEO.
“The individuals, communities, and businesses we have highlighted are working to address the significant and related challenges of climate change, rural poverty, and biodiversity loss. Their work has resulted in real changes on the ground, and is helping to improve conditions for farmers and forest communities.”
At its Annual Gala, Rainforest Alliance recognized and celebrated the partnerships that have made its legacy of past success possible: farmers, forest communities, governments, scientists, fellow NGOs, and companies large and small.
This year, the Rainforest Alliance also celebrates its recent international merger with UTZ, another global leader in sustainable agriculture, based in the Netherlands.
