COFFEE ACCREDITATIONS

Ethical sourcing is very important and is having a real impact on both the food service and retail markets. This has led to increased opportunities for out-of-home operators and their wholesale distributors to meet customer demand for sustainable products. Over recent years, we have become one of the largest suppliers of speciality Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certified coffees for the food service sector.

FAIRTRADE COFFEE

Fairtrade coffee has grown in recent years from its origins as a niche product a decade ago, to one which now competes strongly in the mainstream market. Lincoln & York has seen a significant growth in demand for Fairtrade coffees - especially from the premium food service sector in the UK and we offer a wide selection of origins. We maintain an awareness of developments in the Fairtrade system, including regulatory changes so that we can offer the best advice to customers and their wholesale suppliers. We have built up important relationships with Fairtrade producers in Latin America and East Africa in order to provide the best quality coffee traded under Fairtrade conditions.

RAINFOREST   ALLIANCE

Interest in coffee sourced with Rainforest Alliance accreditation has grown significantly. This sustainability seal is the first set of standards to embrace the "three pillars of sustainability" - social, economic and environmental (or people, profit and planet). We can offer a range of fine roast coffees, sourced from RFA accredited origins.

ORGANIC COFFEE

Organic standards cover practically anything that's grown or farmed to be eaten or drunk. We have responded to the rapid increase in interest in organic coffee by sourcing premium quality green beans that meet internationally defined organic standards. This includes the importance of soil, crop fertilisation, weed control, pest control and environmental management and conservation.

TRIPLE   ACCREDITATION

We have responded to customers wishes for triple accredited coffee, and have several excellent blends available that are Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance Accredited and Organic.

UTZ CERTIFICATION

In just over five years UTZ CERTIFIED has grown to become one of the largest certification programs worldwide. UTZ CERTIFIED is a foundation that gives independent assurance of sustainable production and sourcing and offers online real-time traceability of agricultural products back to origins.

UTZ CERTIFIED cooperatives, estate farms and producer groups comply with the UTZ CERTIFIED code of conduct. This Code is an internationally recognized set of criteria for professional coffee growing, which includes socially and environmentally responsible coffee growing practices, and efficient farm management.

LINCOLN & YORK COMMUNITY COFFEE SCHEME

Over the last decade or more, Lincoln & York has established numerous direct relationships between growers and cooperatives and our customers. This allows for quality coffees to be rewarded directly with premiums over market prices and helping to develop long term sustainable business. Put simply, we buy coffee from people we know well - in Costa Rica, Zambia, El Salvador, Brazil, Indonesia and elsewhere.