Walmart plans to source all of its private label coffee sustainably by the end of 2020, according to a company release. The goal comes as part of Walmart’s decision to join Conservation International’s Sustainable Coffee Challenge.
As the first North American retailer to participate in the challenge, Walmart joins various companies, research institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations working to make coffee production more sustainable.
“We know our customers are looking for sustainable options, and when they enjoy the aroma of our private brand coffee, we want to be able to meet their expectations,” Fernando Serpa, Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement Latin Americawrote in a blog post on Walmart’s website.
“As a retailer, we value the men and women who produce the products our customers want, and we expect our suppliers to provide workers with safe and healthy working conditions. Earlier this year, Walmart reinforced this expectation at the first convening of the World Coffee Producers Forum in Medellin, Colombia. During my remarks at the forum, I spoke to coffee sector representatives about how we can create a more equitable value chain that benefits customers, workers and businesses,” Serpa concluded.
