Pacific Northwest chain Burgerville has signed an exclusive agreement with Vancouver, Wash.-based Portland Roasting Co. to serve its Farm Friendly Direct coffee. All 39 of the chain's Oregon and Southwest Washington locations will now serve only Portland Roasting's Farm Friendly Direct coffee, further reinforcing Burgerville's commitment to sourcing products from the region's most sustainable food producers.
"The Pacific Northwest is known for its love of coffee and for its leadership in sustainable practices. Since coffee beans don't grow here, it was especially important to us to find a local coffee roaster who shares our commitment to sustainability and fair purchasing practices," said Alison Dennis, Burgerville director of supply chain. "Portland Roasting has earned a reputation for social and environmental stewardship here at home and around the world through their Farm Friendly Direct program, and their commitment to responsible business practices is very much aligned with our own."
Portland Roasting will roast and deliver more than 500 pounds of its Farm Friendly Direct Organic Dark Roast Sumatra and Vienna Decaf to Burgerville locations each week, to be served in the chain's 100 percent compostable coffee cup.
More than 70 percent of Burgerville's food dollars go to support local growers, ranchers, fishers and producers. In 2009, as part of their monthly offerings, Burgerville purchased fresh rosemary, spinach, asparagus, peppers, cranberries, apples, pears, hazelnuts, strawberries, blackberries and pumpkin from local farmers. Year-round, the restaurant serves wild Alaskan halibut and 100 percent Country Natural Beef, sustainably raised by a locally founded cooperative of 120 family ranchers.
