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Westrock Coffee's 2024 Sustainability Report

Westrock Coffee Company, the leading manufacturer of private label coffee and tea in North America, released its 2024 Sustainability Report, presenting a detailed overview of its progress in sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives. The report encapsulates Westrock's dedication to enhancing environmental stewardship and supporting smallholder farmers in its global supply chain while looking toward future goals for 2030.

Commitment to Sustainability

Founded in 2009, Westrock Coffee has continuously strived to challenge the norms of the coffee industry by prioritizing responsible business practices and supply chain transparency. According to Brooke Cantrell, the vice president of sustainability, this year’s report highlights significant milestones achieved in their sustainability efforts. Westrock Coffee is devoted to creating lasting positive change for both the environment and the communities they serve.

The 2024 report showcases various initiatives, including the Raíz Sustainability™ program, which commemorates a decade of transformative actions taken on Latin American coffee farms to promote sustainable agricultural practices, fair labor, and equitable supply chains. Since its inception in 2015, Raíz has distributed over $8.5 million in farmer premiums to more than 6,800 farmers and agronomists, facilitating over 67,000 farm visits to bolster the economic, social, and environmental benefits within these communities.

Innovations in Manufacturing

Another notable aspect of Westrock's sustainability journey is the establishment of North America's largest roast-to-ready-to-drink (RTD) manufacturing plant, which opened in 2024. This cutting-edge facility not only boasts an impressive capacity for recycling over one billion gallons of water annually but also utilizes energy-efficient roasters that consume 40% less energy than typical models while producing double the coffee volume. Such advancements are vital in Westrock's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

As part of its sustainability goals, Westrock Coffee aims for 100% responsibly sourced coffee and tea by 2025. Encouragingly, by the end of 2024, the company achieved 89% responsibly sourced coffee and 100% responsibly sourced tea. It has also instituted comprehensive audits for its strategic suppliers to ensure adherence to the Responsible Sourcing Policy while enhancing its Real Roots™ entry-level sustainability sourcing program.

Looking Ahead to 2030

The 2024 Sustainability Report goes beyond current achievements by outlining Westrock Coffee's roadmap for 2030. The company envisions increased transparency and traceability in its operations, an expansion of economic programming aimed at empowering smallholder farmers, and a strengthened commitment to sustainable supply chains and ecosystems in coffee-producing regions around the world.

This strategic approach will not only address the challenges faced by the coffee industry but also foster a more responsible and resilient community of producers, suppliers, and consumers.

For more information, the full 2024 Sustainability Report is available on Westrock Coffee's website. By emphasizing its dedication to sustainability and corporate responsibility, Westrock Coffee is paving the way for a future that honors both the environment and the livelihoods it touches.

About Westrock Coffee Company

Westrock Coffee is an integrated provider of coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ingredients in the U.S., offering a suite of services that include coffee sourcing, supply chain management, product development, roasting, packaging, and distribution across various sectors, including retail, foodservice, hospitality, and convenience stores. With a commitment to sourcing coffee and tea from 35 countries, Westrock is dedicated to delivering quality products while maintaining sustainable practices.

In conclusion, Westrock Coffee's 2024 Sustainability Report is not just a reflection of past accomplishments but a beacon guiding the company’s future endeavors toward meaningful economic empowerment and environmental stewardship on a global scale.