S&D Coffee & Tea announced a new line of sustainably sourced coffees as a part of its Raíz Sustainability sourcing platform. These products are the first 100 percent sustainably sourced coffees to be produced and branded with both the S&D Coffee & Tea and Raíz branding. Working with clusters of farmers in multiple origins, this limited-time release signifies the continued success and impact of the Raíz platform.
According to Conservation International, 150 percent more coffee is needed by 2050 in order to meet future demand. Raíz Sustainability is S&D’s direct response to this looming crisis. As a leader within the coffee industry, S&D is committed to building a more sustainable supply chain, while improving resources and quality of life for coffee farmers.
Raíz Reserve coffees are exclusively available as seasonal offerings, guaranteeing peak freshness and quality, as each coffee is harvested by farmers during the ideal season for each particular region. The new varietals include a crisp, medium/light roast with hints of honey from Central America, debuting this month, and a bright, citric and sweet medium roast from South America, which will be introduced in September of 2019 and remain available through the end of the year. These new launches follow the recently released robust Brazilian dark roast.
“We are very proud to be launching our first line of exclusively sustainably sourced coffees from the family of Raíz farmers in three origins,” says Olga L Cuellar-Gomez, head of S&D sustainability efforts. “This launch is a testament to the power and potential of the Raíz Sustainability platform, and we look forward to continuing our efforts with more 100 percent sustainably sourced coffee offerings in the years to come.”
Implemented in 2015, the Raíz Sustainability platform is improving the lives of small-scale coffee growers while ensuring S&D meets its own ambitious sustainability goals. The inclusive approach provides smallholder farmers, who may not otherwise qualify for certifications, with immediate access to training and technical assistance to help adopt best practices in agriculture and business management. Since its inception, the program has already made a measurable impact in regions where it has been activated, and through comprehensive data collection, S&D continues to optimize and expand the program.
