Caf裩rect raises social return payments
Caf裩rect, the fair trade hot drinks company, has increased its social return payments to its grower partners to 2.4m this year up from 1.7m last year. It comes as the company announced its highest sales to date at 21.6m for the year ended 30 September 2006.
Cafédirect, the fair trade hot drinks company, has increased its social return payments to its grower partners to £2.4m this year up from £1.7m last year. It comes as the company announced its highest sales to date at £21.6m for the year ended 30 September 2006.
The 9% increase in sales was driven by a 41% increase in out-of-home sales as more offices, restaurants and cafés use its tea, coffee and cocoa products. It also saw a 2% increase in retail sales.
The company has also announced that it invested £700,000 in its Producer Partnership Programme, which aims to strengthen producer groups, widen their influence and make them more sustainable over the long-term. Cafédirect now works with over 1 million farmers from 37 organisations across 12 countries.
Last year its programme included helping farmers to find new markets, reduce their reliance on a single crops and increasing food safety standards.
The company carried out a revamp of its branding and started an international expansion programme.
Cafédirect chief executive Penny Newman says: “We are dedicated to remaining at the forefront of balancing a social and financial return.”
