All coffee served in McDonald’s USA restaurants is now sustainably sourced, a goal reached one year earlier than expected.
The fast-food giant set out to make sure 100 percent of ground and whole bean coffee used in its restaurants in the continental United States would be verified sustainable by 2020. The company announced in November that the goal had been confirmed by its own McCafé Sustainability Improvement Platform, a program developed with Conservation International or sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
McDonald’s invested in coffee growers and local communities through its McCafé program for the long term. More than 3,700 farmers received training and technical guidance, community support and premium payments for economic viability. The company’s long-term plan includes ongoing efforts to promote climate resiliency.
“We recognize that sustainability is important to customers, coffee farmers and to helping ensure the supply of coffee for future generations,” said Marion Gross, McDonald’s North America’s chief supply chain officer, McDonald’s North America. “We’re thankful for the dedication of all partners throughout the McDonald’s system and supply chain who together achieved this important milestone.”
“Sourcing coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms protects the environment as well as farmer livelihoods and the wellbeing of their communities,” said Alex Morgan, chief markets officer at the Rainforest Alliance. “As coffee-growing regions increasingly feel impacts from climate change, McDonald’s sustainable sourcing efforts in partnership with Rainforest Alliance and through McCafé SIP preserve a long-term, sustainable supply of coffee.”