#Sustainability #Vienna #Austria #Julius Meinl #Coffee Initiative

Julius Meinl Achieves 100% Responsibly Selected Coffee

Julius Meinl has proudly announced the successful completion of its goal to source all roasted coffee products from its facilities in Vienna and Vicenza as 100% “Responsibly Selected Coffee.” This achievement stands as a pivotal milestone in the company's broader sustainability efforts and reflects years of dedicated work in collaboration with partners across the entire coffee production chain.

Commitment to Sustainability

The essence of “Responsibly Selected Coffee” means that every raw coffee bean roasted at Julius Meinl meets internationally recognized sustainability criteria, outlined in the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code) established by the Global Coffee Platform (GCP). The GCP plays a crucial role as a multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to uniting the coffee sector in advancing collective efforts towards responsible coffee practices.

The Coffee SR Code is based on three key dimensions and twelve principles that underpin Julius Meinl's initiative. These principles include:

1. Economic: Promoting good management practices and access to agricultural knowledge to empower farmers.
2. Social: Upholding human rights, ensuring safe and fair working conditions, and positively contributing to local communities.
3. Environmental: Protecting nature by conserving biodiversity, responsibly using water and resources, preventing pollution, and implementing climate-friendly practices.

Supplier sustainability initiatives and third-party certifications like Fairtrade can be recognized as equivalent if they align with the Coffee SR Code, simplifying the process and focusing on substantial improvements for farmers and their operations.

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

At the heart of the Coffee SR Code is a commitment to continuous improvement, adapting to the ever-changing social, environmental, and economic conditions in coffee-producing nations. To monitor progress and challenges within its supply chains, Julius Meinl collaborates with Enveritas, a non-profit organization that conducts regular assessments of agricultural operations and supply chains. Insights from these assessments are shared and discussed with suppliers to collectively tackle challenges and support meaningful on-the-ground improvements.

Nicolas Charmillot, the Director of Green Coffee Sourcing, stated, “Reaching 100% ‘Responsibly Selected Coffee’ in our roasteries is a significant milestone on our journey toward sustainability. It reflects years of close collaboration with our partners and our commitment to having a genuine, positive impact across our entire supply chain—from the farms where the coffee is grown to the cups from which it is enjoyed daily. Through our ‘Responsibly Selected Coffee’ initiative, we offer coffee lovers the assurance that every bean roasted in Vienna and Vicenza is sourced with respect for people, communities, and the environment.”

Future Aspirations

Achieving 100% “Responsibly Selected Coffee” in its production is just the beginning for Julius Meinl. The company has set ambitious goals, aiming to ensure that all externally produced brand coffee products are also “Responsibly Selected” by the end of 2028. Julius Meinl will continue to work with partners across the supply chain to make coffee a positive force for future generations.

About Julius Meinl

Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl is one of the oldest coffee roasters and a deeply ingrained coffeehouse brand in the world. The family-run enterprise is committed to quality—a hallmark for five generations. With over 160 years of expertise in sourcing and roasting, Meinl proudly serves as a preferred coffee supplier to Vienna's leading cafés. Today, Julius Meinl coffees and teas contribute to creating meaningful moments for customers and consumers worldwide, available in more than 50,000 hotels, cafés, and restaurants across 70 countries, alongside a growing retail presence.