Australia’s Nomad Coffee Group (NCG) has released details of its Sustainable Coffee Program (SCP) in its 2018 Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Through the SCP, which has been operating since 2010, NCG pays premium prices for its green coffee, rather than trading on the traditional C Market. By 2023, its goal is to purchase all of its coffee via the SCP. In 2018, 60 per cent of coffee bought in the business fell under the SCP, a 50 per cent increase from 2017.
In 2018, NCG’s certified SCP countries and partners were Brazil – Capricornio Coffees, India – Kaapi Royale/Sethuraman Estate and Colombia, Peru and Honduras – Sustainable Harvest.
Managing Director Craig Dickson says in addition to the SCP, NCG’s ability to purchase larger volumes of coffee has a huge positive impact on its producers.
“Specialty grade coffee is generally a very small percentage of what a farm produces, and to make a living, farmers need to sell their entire crop. Via our contract roasting arm, Black Bag Roasters, we can purchase larger volumes of high-grade commercial coffee, in addition to the specialty coffee we purchase for Veneziano Coffee Roasters. This means we’re able to have a bigger impact on the profitability and sustainability of our producers,” Dickson says.
He adds while making a positive difference at origin is a compelling incentive in its own right, the benefits go far beyond this.
The NCG says the benefits of its SCP include:
1. Long term relationships enabling NCG to enter into longer contracts with volume commitments, allowing producers to plan investment strategies to improve the quality of their green coffee,
2. Paying premiums direct to the producers enabling facility upgrade projects, better working conditions, and supports more sustainable agricultural practices,
3. Traceability providing transparency of coffee lots back to origin, processing methods, and sustainable practices,
4. Giving back to local communities in a measurable and transparent way, enabling contributions to community outreach programs such as promoting children’s education, community health, and women in coffee,
5. Greater control over coffee through collaboration to increase innovation and control of the end product and flavour in the cup.
In addition, NCG has announced a commitment to making consistent and continual changes about how it does business that improves everyday lives.
“We’ve been a leader in the coffee industry for over two decades now and recognise the opportunity to make a meaningful positive impact on the local communities with which we work with,” Craig says.
“It’s only by implementing these sustainable and socially responsible practices today, that future generations will be able to enjoy coffee tomorrow.”
NCG is a collection of specialty coffee brands, including Veneziano Coffee Roasters, Black Bag Roasters, Coffee Hit, and Flight Coffee.
The full NCG Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Report includes in depth details of NCG’s buying practices and local initiatives.
For more information, or to download the full NCG Corporate Social Responsibility 2018 Report, visit www.nomadcoffeegroup.com.au
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