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McDonald's US achieves all-sustainably grown coffee 1 year early

Photo: iStock.

November 12, 2019

McDonald's USA announced today that it have beaten its own schedule for converting off of the mammoth chain's ground and whole bean coffee for U.S. restaurants to that which is sustainably sourced. In fact, the chain is a year ahead of its planned completion date on this goal, which guarantees the beverage is sustainably produced through its McCafe Sustainability Improvement Platform created with Conservation International, or sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. 

"As we prioritize McCafé as a go-to coffee destination, we recognize that sustainability is important to customers, coffee farmers and to helping ensure the supply of coffee for future generations," McDonald's Chief Supply Chain Officer Marion Gross, said in the release. 

Through the McCafé SIP program, McDonald's has invested in coffee growers and their communities for the long term. For example, in 2018 across Colombia, McDonald's, in partnership with supplying roasters, supported more than 3,700 farmers through trainings, individual farm visits to provide technical guidance, community support and premium payments to support farmer economic viability. 

"McDonald's achievement of sustainably sourcing 100% of their coffee shows that sustainability can scale and it's not just for niche or small businesses," Conservation International CEO M. Sanjayan, said in the release. "For over 25 years, Conservation International has worked with McDonald's and today's milestone is a clear signal to leaders everywhere on what can be achieved if business and conservation work together."