Sustainable Coffee Business Model Recognized in Colombia

October 2, 2020

Aligning our business and sustainability strategies to create shared benefits

LDC was recognized for aligning its sustainability efforts with business strategies by the Private Social Investment index (IISP), a ranking created by Colombian magazine Semana Sostenible, in collaboration with local company Jaime, Arteaga & Asociados and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Supporting farming communities is a key part of the way we do business. Through various initiatives over the years – in Colombia and elsewhere – we work to provide incentives for farmers to remain in the coffee business, helping then to improve their livelihoods and produce good-quality coffee in an environmentally, economically and socially responsible way.

At the beginning of 2020, LDC launched its latest joint sustainability project in Colombia with Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), aiming to improve the productivity and quality of coffee grown by approximately 1600 smallholder producers in the regions of Cauca, Risaralda, Tolima and Huila.

Projects like this one saw LDC invited to participate in the IISP alongside 101 other companies – an amazing opportunity to showcase these key efforts, and the importance of supporting farmers to secure future coffee supplies.

At an award ceremony on June 25, LDC proudly accepted the “Alignment” category award, which recognizes companies who promote sustainable and gender equality practices throughout the entire value chain, by aligning sustainability efforts with business strategy.

“As the African proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This recognition shows that our approach to driving sustainable development through collaboration for maximum impact, is the right one,” said Ross Hawkins, Global Head of Coffee Partnerships at LDC. “We are committed to investing in the development and resilience of farming communities, who are the heart of the food chain, and we hope we can inspire others to do the same, working toward a safe and sustainable future for all.”

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