Cafeology, based in Sheffield, has reached the finals in the National Capital category of the Sustainable Business Awards, run by The Guardian newspaper. The category awards an organisation that is ‘trailblazing a strategy to appropriately account for the value nature provides it with.’
It is Cafeology’s Bird Friendly coffee initiative, run in conjunction with the RSPB and the Smithsonian Institution in America, that has resulted in the shortlisting.
The coffee comes from the Guaya’b Cooperative in Guatemala, where it is grown in the shade under a diverse tree canopy. This avoids deforestation and protects natural habitats; effects often seen when producers cut down trees to mature coffee more quickly in the sun.
Bryan Unkles, Cafeology founder and director, said: “We are extremely honoured to have our Bird Friendly coffee project recognised in the Sustainable Business Awards.
“Our objective was to source a fully traceable, environmentally friendly Fairtrade coffee for the UK market, while raising awareness of the harm coffee production can have on ecosystems, thus helping create consumer demand for shade-grown coffee.
“Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world after oil and it is important that we work to raise awareness and educate the UK public on the environmental issues surrounding coffee production.”
The awards ceremony will take place in London on 29 April where the winners will be announced.
About Cafeology
- Cafeology was founded in 2003 by coffee experts Bryan Unkles and Andy McClatchey and started trading in 2004
- Director Andy McClatchey was appointed to the board in 2005 to specialise in sourcing tea – he now heads up the Teaology side of the business
- The largest selling blend of coffee is 100% traceable to source and purchased direct from the producers
- Cafeology uses only speciality grade Arabica coffees and buys directly from growers in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica before importing straight into the UK
- Their Costa Rican coffee is the world’s first certified carbon neutral
- Direct sourcing has enabled Bryan and Andy to build personal relationships with growers, such as Francisco Herrera, President of the Coffee Growers’ Association of Apia in Colombia and Roberto Mata of CoopeDota in Costa Rica
- Cafeology’s strong focus on quality has resulted in a range of products carrying recognised marks such as Fairtrade, RSPB and Smithsonian Institution Bird Friendly, ensuring a fair deal for the farmers whose crops they buy, while also making Cafeology’s products fully traceable
- Demand for Cafeology products has also led to expansion into tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks under the Teaology, Cocoaology and Frappeology brands, as well as the founding of trendy sister coffee brand Café Cereza
- The company operates on a national scale, working with a range of universities, businesses and independent outlets
- Cafeology is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Celebrations included a visit from the President of the Coffee Growers’ Association in Apia, Colombia, Francisco Herrera, who is also one of Cafeology’s Colombian growers
- The company is also celebrating recent partnerships with UK sport retail giant Decathlon, whose Sheffield store it has opened its first retail outlet in. Relationships with European companies have also been forged well with the firm becoming eBay Switzerland’s chosen coffee supplier and teaming up with Studio Bloc – Germany’s largest indoor climbing centre
Follow Cafeology on Twitter @Cafeology and @CafeologySheff
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