Ethical beverage company Cafeology has been recognised at a Europe-wide Awards scheme for its innovative Bird Friendly coffee initiative in Guatemala. Cafeology was named runner up in the Business & Diversity category within the European Business Awards for the Environment, which is given to a product or service that 'makes a significant contribution to halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems'.
Cafeology is the first UK company to supply a Bird Friendly coffee endorsed by the RSPB. The beans are grown by coffee cooperative Asociación Civil Guaya'b, close to Guatemala's border with Mexico, under a high altitude canopy of diverse trees. This provides a habitat for birds, protects the rainforest and produces a superior quality, denser bean with a unique taste.
Bryan Unkles, founder of Cafeology, said, “I learned about the destructive effect some coffee farming was having on the natural habitat while visiting our Central American growers. With Cafeology's core principle of 'great coffee, great cause' in mind, we looked at ways of addressing this, which resulted in the launch of our Bird Friendly coffee in 2014.
“Our Bird Friendly coffee is certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre in Washington DC, which is considered the gold standard for shade-grown coffee. It is also endorsed by the RSPB, who receive a donation from the sale of every tin.
“We're delighted that both our product and our campaign to raise awareness of the need for more sustainable coffee farming, have been recognised at these Awards, which rewarded the 'best of the best' environmental initiatives across Europe. Cafeology was the only representative from the UK in this category and we were runner-up to a German manufacturer far larger than we are.”
The latest award follows similar accolades for Bird Friendly coffee in the UK last year, when Cafeology was presented with a Guardian Sustainable Business Award and was named Outstanding Business of the Year at the RSPCA's 'Animal Hero' Awards.
Unkles added, “Coffee is the second most-traded commodity after oil and, around the world, is drunk an estimated 30,000 times every second. As the UK's demand for coffee continues to grow, we have a duty to think about our consumption and how we can minimise any harmful effects on the tropical rainforest and its biodiversity.”
Following the success of its Bird Friendly scheme in Guatemala, Cafeology has extended it into Nicaragua, where it has partnered with Cooperativa Multifuncional de Productores, Exportadores de Cafe de San Juan de Rio Coco.
Cafeology's Bird Friendly coffee is a single estate, 100% organic Arabica coffee with a smooth taste and medium body. It is available to food service operators in 1kg bags of roast and ground coffee, or roasted coffee beans.
As well as coffee, Cafeology supplies operators with tea, hot chocolate and ancillary products, as well as industry-leading dispense equipment, maintenance and barista training courses. Customers benefit from Cafeology's innovative marketing, including eye-catching branded crockery, menus and other POS.
Cafeology supplies across the UK to the out of home market including pubs and bars, hotels, universities and colleges, leisure centres, sporting arenas and theatres. Keele University recently became the first to sell Bird Friendly coffee across all outlets on its campus.