McDonald’s serves coffee with a conscience

McDonald’s serves customers coffee with a conscience

If supporting the wellbeing and environmental welfare of coffee farmers half-way across the world was as easy as enjoying a great tasting espresso, wouldn’t we all do it?

In a move that will make choosing a sustainably grown cup of coffee easier for New Zealanders, McDonald’s has today announced that all espresso coffee served through its 141 New Zealand restaurants will be purchased from Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms.

This means the four million cups of espresso coffee served at McDonald’s and McCafe each year will be made from coffee beans purchased from farms that have been certified on the basis that beans are grown sustainably, in a way that benefits the farmers and their families’ welfare.

Rainforest Alliance Senior Marketing Manager Sabrina Vigilante says it is great to have McDonald’s restaurants in New Zealand on board, with the decision signifying a huge commitment to coffee communities and the environment they depend on.

“Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms are managed in a way that improves the livelihoods of farmers and farm workers, ensuring workers are treated with respect, paid decent wages, properly equipped and given access to education and medical treatment,” says Ms Vigilante.

“Farms that earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal must also protect wildlife, water, forests and soils. The results are more efficiently run farms.

“Now McDonald’s coffee lovers can purchase a cup of coffee knowing they are contributing to sustainable futures for coffee farmers, farm workers and the environment they live and work in,” says Ms Vigilante.

McDonald’s Managing Director Mark Hawthorne says he is very proud of the decision to purchase coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, which is another strong example of the company’s commitment to lead the food industry and adapt to customers’ changing needs.

“Like many New Zealanders, we are increasingly aware of wider issues affecting our purchase decisions, whether that’s the physical environment or ensuring the sustainability of our supply chain.

“There is no additional cost to customers to enjoy coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms - we believe that sourcing and serving coffee from sustainably managed farms is the right thing to do,” says Mr Hawthorne.

“We’ve shown through our menu changes over the last five years that we are willing and able to adapt our business to meet our customers’ changing needs, and this is another step in our journey. We’re offering customers coffee that not only tastes fantastic but also benefits the coffee growers, the communities they live in and the environment.

“It’s still great coffee, with a conscience,” says Mr Hawthorne.

The 100 per cent Arabica coffee beans purchased by McDonald’s come from Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms in Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. The new beans and blend are offered across all espresso coffee at McDonald’s, including McCafe and Espresso Pronto (served at front counter and Drive Thru).

Ends

Notes to editors:

The Rainforest Alliance is an independent, not-for-profit environmental organisation (based in New York) which focuses on developing and promoting standards in sustainable forestry, farming and tourism.

Rainforest Alliance Certified TM farms meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network standards, developed by the Rainforest Alliance and other conservation organisations, and represented by the Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM seal.

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