Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) announces that it has been recognized by Fair Trade USA as the world's largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in 2012, for the third consecutive year. Since the debut of GMCR's first Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in 2000, the company's purchases have delivered more than $22 million in community development funds to coffee farmers.
Fair Trade continues to be an important component of GMCR's sustainable coffee sourcing strategy. Through its commitment to Fair Trade, GMCR provides consumers with high quality coffee and helps ensure a higher quality of life for coffee farmers. The company purchased more than 54 million pounds of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in calendar year 2012. This includes coffee certified in the U.S. by Fair Trade USA as well as Fairtrade Certified coffee in Canada, which is certified by Fairtrade Canada.
The Huatusco cooperative, one of GMCR's longest-standing Fair Trade coffee partners, is one of the many organizations that has benefited from Fair Trade Certification. "GMCR's support of Fair Trade has improved the quality of life for the 1,700 families and 41 communities that comprise our organization. It is an honor for us to collaborate with GMCR — a company with a strong commitment to social responsibility and care for the environment," said members of the executive committee and general representation of the Small Coffee Producers Regional Union of Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico, in a prepared statement.
"What's most important about this recognition is that GMCR's purchases enable us to have a greater impact on the lives of more coffee farmers. That's why we first embraced the Fair Trade movement years ago," said Lindsey Bolger, vice president, coffee sourcing and excellence for GMCR. "We look forward to continuing our commitment to Fair Trade as the movement evolves. Ultimately it's the combined strength of all coffee buyers, along with coffee consumers, that can make the greatest difference in coffee-growing communities around the world."
