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McDonald's invests $6.5M in sustainable coffee program

March 5, 2013

McDonald's USA, McDonald's Canada and their franchisees are investing more than $6.5 million throughout the next four-and-a-half years in a technical assistance program to help about 13,000 coffee farmers in Central America produce and process more sustainably.

McDonald's USA, McDonald's Canada and their franchisees are collaborating with international organizations to train small holder coffee producers to strengthen the environmental sustainability of their farms and businesses, and increase the productivity and prosperity of their communities. The investment in farmer technical assistance complements the recent certification requirement McDonald's USA has made of its suppliers to source only 100-percent Rainforest Alliance certified espresso.

"We are confident that investing in both certification and sustainable agriculture training addresses the immediate need to assist farmers today, expands capacity for greater sustainable coffee production in the future and helps assure our customers we will continue to provide the taste profile they have grown to love and expect from McDonald's," said Susan Forsell, McDonald's vice president of sustainability.

Working with TechnoServe, a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to combat poverty, and the Sustainable Commodity Assistance Network (SCAN), a global, United Nations-backed collaboration providing sustainability technical assistance, McDonald's USA and its franchisees have been supporting the technical assistance program incorporating sustainable agricultural and extension practices in Guatemala since 2011.

"The program empowers farmers to implement practices that deliver higher yields that contribute to individual livelihoods and the local economy, while simultaneously protecting the environment for future generations" said David Browning, TechnoServe senior vice president. "Higher yields translate into higher incomes that will help farmers to break the cycle of poverty and invest in better health care and education for their children."

McDonald's efforts to increase coffee sustainability are part of the company's commitment to sustainable sourcing, which was also highlighted when McDonald's USA announced in January that it would serve Marine Stewardship Council-certified Alaska Pollock in its U.S. restaurants.

Read more about sustainability efforts.