Gloria Jeans wins environment award

Written on the 23 May 2008

Australian-owned Gloria Jean’s Coffees will become the first Australian company to be distinguished with the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award in New York
this month, recognising the company’s work in supporting global sustainability in agriculture.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees has worked with the highly-respected Rainforest Alliance not-forprofit organisation since 2003 and now sells Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee
throughout its Australian and international network of 854 stores. The Rainforest Alliance is dedicated to making the world a better place by establishing a certification scheme that encourages farmers to meet the highest environmental and social standards, conserving biodiversity and providing sustainable livelihoods.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees Executive Chairman and the founder of the partnership, Nabi Saleh will travel to New York to receive the award at a Gala Awards Ceremony on 15
May.

“Receiving such a prestigious award is a huge honour for Gloria Jean’s Coffee Franchises. We have maintained a strong commitment to working directly with coffee farmers and the
Rainforest Alliance over many years to promote our shared belief for a more sustainable coffee industry,” Mr Saleh said. “As part of our ongoing work we have committed to a target of purchasing 85% of our coffee within the next three years from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.”

Gloria Jean’s Coffees will produce approximately 1,564 tons of roasted certified coffee products over the next financial year. As the largest roaster and distributor of Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee in Australia, Gloria Jean’s Coffees is promoting the social and environmental sustainability of the world’s largest coffee growing regions including farms in Nicaragua, Brazil, Costa Rica and Colombia. Gloria Jean’s Coffees is also working with emerging coffee markets in Sumatra, India and Papua New Guinea to encourage more farms to become Rainforest Alliance Certified™.

Sabrina Vigilante, Senior Marketing Manager at the Rainforest Alliance, who visited Australia last year for a Gloria Jean’s Coffees sponsored educational tour said: “The Rainforest Alliance is proud to honour Gloria Jean’s Coffees with our Corporate Green Globe Award for its bold commitment to sustainability.. Their support will make a big difference in coffee-growing communities and result in tangible benefits for workers and wildlife habitat.”

Gloria Jean’s Coffees currently sells approximately 7 million cups of coffee each month in Australia alone.

“Our commitment to the Rainforest Alliance initiative means that our guests not only enjoy a cup of great tasting quality coffee, but one that supports farmers, their workers
and their families, local communities and the environment, including better housing conditions, wildlife habitats and education for children,” Mr Saleh said.

The Rainforest Alliance 18th Annual Gala Awards is a high profile event where progressive companies, environmentalists and distinguished leaders within the business and diplomatic communities, come together to recognise the exceptional achievement that some of the world’s largest organisations have made to ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the world in which we live.

Check out Gloria Jeans Coffees franchise opportunities here.