Sodexo increased to 53 per cent Fairtrade coffee

In one year, Sodexo in Sweden has significantly increased its share of Fairtrade coffee, from 2 to 53 per cent. This has resulted in slightly more than SEK 1.5 million for coffee farmers and cooperatives. The reason behind this rise is an increased focus on sustainable business - and a change of coffee supplier.   

- With the help of Löfbergs, we can easily show the concrete benefits of organic and Fairtrade coffee. It has helped us strengthen and deepen the relationship with our customers. We are also contributing to a more sustainable development, says Nicklas Hedin, purchasing manager at Sodexo, one of the leading companies in Service Management in the Nordic countries.

Sustainable quotations
The tool that Sodexo uses is called Sustainable quotations. It has been developed by Löfbergs and is used as a mandatory complement to regular quotations. The sustainable quotation specifies what the customer's volumes contribute with regarding environment and social aspects in the farming stage when purchasing certified coffee.

- Sodexo contributes to increasing the proceeds of coffee farmers and cooperatives with approximately SEK 1.5 million per year. Their contribution also results in 35 metric tons less fertiliser being used and that land corresponding to 337 football fields is converted to organic production, says Per Grahn, sales director at Löfbergs.

- We have gotten great response for the sustainable quotation. We are both happy and proud to see that it increases the purchasing of certified coffee, which is good for people and the environment,

The work with certified coffee is an important stage of Löfbergs's sustainability work. By 2016, all coffee from Löfbergs will be certified (e.g. Fairtrade, Organic or Rainforest Alliance). Today, 100 per cent of the coffee sold to hotels, restaurants and cafés is certified.

Thumbs up from Fairtrade
At Fairtrade, they are pleased with Sodexo's increase in Fairtrade coffee.

- It is an impressive development! This is a good example of how companies and consumers attach great importance to the consumption of organically and socially sustainable products, says Magdalena Streijffert, secretary-general at Fairtrade Sweden.

Fairtrade is an independent product mark that creates opportunities for farmers and employees to improve their work and living conditions. Fairtrade guarantees a minimum price for the coffee farmer and a premium for the cooperative. Last year, Swedes drank Fairtrade coffee for more than SEK 550 million.

For more information:
Per Grahn, Sales Director, Out of Home, Löfbergs, +46 (0) 54 14 01 46
Nicklas Hedin, Purchasing Manager, Sodexo Nordic Zone, +46 (0) 8 578 857 18