Coffee companies aim to boost eco-friendly purchases

Some 30 percent of the beans in Kraft’s Yuban coffee brand are the result sustainable growing techniques, the minimum percentage required for certification. “Our goal is to continue to try to grow the Yuban trademark,” said Gregory Nesmith, senior brand manager of Yuban coffee for Kraft. The brand, made from 100 percent Colombian beans, was first introduced in the United States in 1905. Nestle Nespresso S.A., a subsidiary of Nestle that sells premium quality coffee, also plans to increase the amount of sustainable coffee that it buys to 50 percent by 2010, from 30 percent, said Gerhard Berssenbrugge, Nestle Nespresso S.A. chief executive. The Swiss company is working with other nongovernmental organizations on the issue as well, Berssenbrugge said. “There needs to be a very close relationship to the coffee farmers and the consumers. They think it’s the right thing to do, to help those people who produce such great coffee,” he said. The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. also aims to increase its Rainforest certified coffee to 50 percent by 2008, up from an expected 35 percent in 2007, a company spokesperson said. Image source: kraft.com

News selected by Covalence | Country: Global | Company: Kraft, Nestle, Caribou Coffee | Source: Reuters