Gloria Jean's Coffees partners with the Rainforest Alliance

Soft and sweet with subtle nut and berry flavours, Gloria Jean's Coffees Single Origin Nicuraguan whole bean is sourced from the mountainous Jinotega region of far north Nicaragua.

From Nicaragua, the certified whole bean is roasted in Gloria Jean's Coffees state of the art roasting facility based in Sydney. By the end of 2006, Gloria Jean's Coffees will have roasted over 2,340 bags of Rainforest Alliance Certified beans equivalent to 183 tonnes of coffee. Under this agreement, 100% of Gloria Jean's Coffees Flavoured coffees have also received Rainforest Alliance certification.

Gloria Jean's Coffees partnership with the Rainforest Alliance supports their goal of protecting the welfare of coffee farmers, wildlife and the environment. The Rainforest Alliance through its holistic approach helps to make the world a better place, by working with farmers and farming communities to ensure they meet the highest environment and social standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.

The result ensures Gloria Jean's Coffees guests not only enjoy great tasting coffee, but a cup of coffee that goes beyond supporting farmers, to also ensure respect for workers, their families, local communities and the environment including better housing conditions and education for children.

Stephen Gersowsky, CEO of Gloria Jean's Coffees said, “The partnership allows our coffee house guests to continue to purchase high quality coffee whilst now also demonstrating their support for a product that has been grown according to meticulous environmental and social standards.”

“We've chosen to partner with the Rainforest Alliance because we believe it serves the greatest good for the most people, both on an individual and community-wide level,” Gersowsky added.

Tensie Whelan, Executive Director of the Rainforest Alliance, said, “We are thrilled that Gloria Jean's Coffees is joining us in our global efforts to conserve wildlife and improve the lives of workers and their communities.”

“Our certification process is comprehensive. It goes beyond environmental concerns to address the needs of all people whose work it is to grow coffee and get it to market.

“Traditional, forested coffee farms are havens for wildlife, so by purchasing beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, Gloria Jean's Coffees is demonstrating leadership in sustainable business,” added Tensie.

Perfect for pairing with lighter, sweet nut and fruit flavours, Gloria Jean's Coffees Rainforest Alliance Certified Single Origin Nicaraguan whole bean coffee is available from all coffee houses nationally retailing at R54.00 for 200g.

Rainforest Alliance

Based in New York, with offices throughout the US and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with a range of organisations and individuals - from large multinational corporations and tourism businesses to small, community-based cooperatives - to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them, by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.

Following its success to date, the Rainforest Alliance recently received a seven year grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United National Development Programme to increase Rainforest Alliance Certified farmland by 15-fold (November 10, 2005).

Through its Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the Rainforest Alliance awards a certification seal of approval to farms and products that meet demanding social and environmental standards, as verified by experienced auditors - including products such as coffee, bananas, chocolate, orange juice, cut flowers and ornamental ferns.

Thousands of farms and co-operatives have been certified in 13 countries globally, benefiting tens of thousands of farmers and workers and ensuring that 200,000 hectares of tropical farmland is managed to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife.