CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's
USA announced today that 100% of
the ground and whole bean coffee for U.S. restaurants is
sustainably sourced,* achieving this 2020 goal a year ahead of
schedule. Coffee for McDonald's USA restaurants is verified sustainable
through McDonald's McCafé Sustainability Improvement Platform
(SIP), a coffee sustainability program developed in partnership
with Conservation International, or sourced from Rainforest
Alliance Certified™ farms. McDonald's long-term, ongoing
commitment remains focused on promoting climate resiliency and
allowing farmers to continue their coffee farming traditions for
generations to come.
"As we prioritize McCafé as a go-to coffee destination, we
recognize that sustainability is important to customers, coffee
farmers and to helping ensure the supply of coffee for future
generations," said Marion Gross,
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 where
we serve customers delicious, high quality, and now 100%
sustainably sourced McCafé coffee."
This signifies one step along McDonald's journey to help build a
more sustainable coffee future for people and the planet.
"McDonald's achievement of sustainably sourcing 100% of their
coffee shows that sustainability can scale and it's not just for
niche or small businesses," said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of
Conservation International. "For over 25 years, Conservation
International has worked with McDonald's and today's milestone is a
clear signal to leaders everywhere on what can be achieved if
business and conservation work together."
Through the McCafé SIP program, McDonald's has invested in
coffee growers and their communities for the long term. For
example, in 2018 across Colombia, McDonald's, in partnership
with supplying roasters, supported more than 3,700 farmers through
trainings, individual farm visits to provide technical guidance,
community support, and premium payments to support farmer economic
viability. In the Antioquia region of Colombia, McDonald's sustainability efforts
have helped result in impacts like reducing water consumption by
36,000 liters per year, planting 326,000 new coffee trees and
rehabilitating millions more.
McDonald's also recognizes that building a sustainable coffee
future is an important global issue that requires collaboration and
action across the industry.
"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."
This milestone builds on McDonald's momentum to innovate the
company's approach to food in the areas of sourcing, ingredients
and preparation for more than a decade. McDonald's USA announced that all classic burgers** do
not contain artificial preservatives, artificial flavors or added
colors from artificial sources (except the pickle, so skip it if
you'd like) and reached a milestone of 33% cage-free eggs towards
the company's 2025 commitment of sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in
the US.
*Includes ground and whole bean coffee sourced for all
McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. except Hawaii.
** National Sandwiches
only. Excludes local and limited time
sandwiches.
About McDonald's USA
McDonald's serves a variety of menu options made with quality
ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day.
Ninety-five percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are
independently owned and operated by business men and women. For
more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter
@McDonalds and Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
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SOURCE McDonald's Corporation