The making of a truly good cup of coffee
When we say that all IKEA coffee is UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certified, it sounds good, but what does it mean? Far from being an odd abbreviation, UTZ is actually Mayan for “good”. That says it all really. Being produced in a way that benefits the farmers, the consumers, and the environment, is what makes a truly good cup of coffee. With our organic coffee series PÅTÅR we decided to take it one step further.
Good for customers, good for farmers
Sourcing UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certified coffee is nothing new to the IKEA business, it’s been our way for more than a decade. Being the largest certification program for sustainable coffee in the world, UTZ/Rainforest Alliance backs coffee producers in improving their farming practices and management – enabling them to get higher yields, bigger income and better living conditions.
For us it’s the best possible way of doing business. We get to offer our customers great-tasting, high-quality coffee at the same time as we contribute to positive change in the communities where it’s sourced.
“We also wanted our beans to be organically grown, meaning without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.”
Azaliah Mapombere, Social Impact Specialist at IKEA Food Services AB
Fewer chemicals, better pay
And we know that there’s always room for improvement. That’s why our coffee series PÅTÅR is both UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certified and organic.
“Building on UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certification we also wanted our beans to be organically grown, meaning without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides”, says Azaliah Mapombere, social impact specialist at IKEA Food Services AB. “This means healthier soils and less impact on the climate. Also, farmers are paid more for organic crops. That way they improve their livelihood while at the same time they’re safeguarding the environment.”
Siding with smallholders
One of the recent PÅTÅR additions is the IKEA PÅTÅR single-origin Arabica coffee from the White Nile region in Uganda. Despite being the biggest coffee exporting country in Africa, the Ugandan coffee industry is to a large part made up of smallholder farmers – who often face harsh business realities. By partnering with a local social business initiative that works closely with the Ugandan farmers to improve farming techniques, coffee sourcing practices, and more, we contribute to more families earning a sustainable livelihood.
When the collaboration first started in 2017, about 8 000 farmers participated. Today that number has grown to 13 000. “Our commitment contributes to coffee farmers being able to earn a stable income and have access to the global market, which in turn opens up new opportunities for their families and communities. It’s a win-win project. I am proud that we can offer our customers this special, high-quality and really tasty brew from the White Nile region,” says Azaliah Mapombere.
- It’s not only IKEA coffee that’s UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certified. The same is true for both cocoa and tea. Overall IKEA Food Services AB strives to offer products from responsible and more sustainable sources, which also includes all coffee we serve in the IKEA restaurants and bistros. Working with third party certifications such as UTZ/Rainforest Alliance supports that ambition.
- In addition to being UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certified, the IKEA PÅTÅR coffee range is organic according to EU standards. The beans are grown with consideration for natural resources and in a way that supports biodiversity. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers have been used, and the products contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
- Tracing the origin of your coffee is just one click away. That means you get to learn more about the plantation where the beans were grown and can be sure that the coffee has been produced in a sustainable way – and that you as a customer contribute to better farming.