Building on its position as the third largest coffee roaster in
the world and its success in driving sustainability in its European
beverage business, Sara Lee(R) Foodservice is introducing Good Origin
sustainable coffee to the U.S. market.
"The introduction of Good Origin builds on our winning European
formula and helps us incorporate sustainability as part of a viable
business strategy for coffee producers," said Mike DePriest, senior
brand manager, Sara Lee Foodservice. "Taking a comprehensive approach
to sustainability through our partnership with UTZ CERTIFIED Good
Inside(R) makes good business sense for both our customers and our
company. It provides consumers with great-tasting coffee that they
know has been produced responsibly - by balancing people, planet and
profit," said DePriest.
Sara Lee is the world´s largest buyer of UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside
sustainable coffee. During the past four years, Sara Lee has achieved
an eight-fold increase in its sustainable coffee volumes: from 2,500
tons in 2004 to the 20,000 tons it has committed to procure in 2008.
Sara Lee has introduced its Good Origin brand in countries such as the
Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark, where consumer demand for
sustainable coffee is growing rapidly.
According to UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside, worldwide sales of its
certified sustainable coffee have increased ten-fold over the last
five years. The organization credits the evolution of consumer
attitudes, which increasingly reflect a desire for quality coffee,
along with concern for how coffee production impacts local communities
in coffee growing countries.
"While Sara Lee has acted responsibly in the coffee market for
many years, partnering with UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside demonstrates its
increasing commitment to sustainable quality," said Graham Mitchell,
general manager, U.S., UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside. "In fact, Sara Lee
is showing its commitment by doubling its purchase of certified
sustainable coffee from 2007 to 2008."
Good Origin Sustainable Coffee is targeted to a wide variety of
U.S. markets including colleges and universities, business and
industry, healthcare, lodging, national restaurants, convenience
stores and commercial food operations. The new, UTZ CERTIFIED Good
Inside coffee is available in three varieties under the Good Origin
Premium label (Moyobamba Peru, Terrenos Gemelos and Copita Madura
Decaf) and three varieties under the Good Origin Gourmet label (Pluma
de Oaxaca, Tres Joyas and Copa Oscura Decaf). Each variety is packed
in a NaturalBox carton, made with 100 percent
post-consumer-recycled-materials.
UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside´s worldwide certification program sets
the standard for responsible coffee production and sourcing. It offers
a market-based business model, supply chain transparency and credible
program requirements that address economic viability, social
responsibility and environmental protections. With UTZ certification,
Good Origin coffee is traceable from farm to cup: consumers can visit
www.goodorigin.com and select the source code printed in black on the
front of the bag in the drop-down menu to identify the coffee´s
specific origin.
For more information about the Sara Lee commitment to
sustainability, visit
www.saralee.com/AboutSaraLee/Sustainability.aspx.
About Sara Lee Corporation
Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of
consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the
world´s best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and
trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi
Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi,
Sanex, Sara Lee, and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate more
than $12 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200
countries. The Sara Lee community consists of 52,000 employees
worldwide. Please visit www.saralee.com for the latest news and
in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.
About UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside
Since 2002, UTZ CERTIFIED has set the world standard for
professional coffee growing and sourcing with care for local
communities and the environment. UTZ CERTIFIED cooperatives, estate
farms and producer groups comply with the UTZ Code of Conduct and are
inspected annually by independent, third-party auditors. As an
independent, international, non-profit organization, UTZ CERTIFIED
Good Inside standards help coffee farmers, cooperatives and producer
groups show their buyers that their coffee is produced professionally,
with socially and environmentally appropriate growing practices and
efficient farm management. In addition, it provides roasters and
brands a tool to incorporate and demonstrate responsible sourcing
practices for their coffee portfolio. UTZ CERTIFIED Good Inside is
expanding into other commodities, such as cocoa and tea, to become the
leading certification and traceability program for these commodities.
For more information, please visit www.utzcertified.org.
