Rogers Family Coffee: A Case Study in Sustainability
It’s a common scene, one that occurs every morning. With a rapid hand towards the snooze button and a slow yawn, tired bones are roused only by the promise of the soon to be enjoyed cup of joe. With sleepy eyes and slow movements, a fresh coffee pod is picked, popped in and brewed — the aroma slowly bringing about a state of semiconsciousness. The wrapper and pod are then collected and disposed of … in the compost bin? But this is no somnolent oversight; the packaging materials used are sourced from bio-based materials and are certified compostable. This was the vision of Tom Garber, vice president of product development for Rogers Family Coffee.
Rogers Family Coffee is among the nation’s largest gourmet coffee roasters and one of the few remaining family-owned gourmet coffee companies. The San Francisco-based roaster has been in operation for 35 years and offers its major brands at retailers nationwide, along with supplying private label coffee to a number of specialty food stores. The company has long had a commitment to social initiatives, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Over the past 25 years, it has constructed or aided 41 schools, built 940 housing complexes and completed 12 medical clinics in coffee-growing regions. The company operates with a carbon-negative footprint by planting trees and devoting parts of its own coffee plantations to natural jungle growth. The brand’s green coffee is bought only from farmers with whom it has a personal relationship and purchased above Fair Trade prices, prices, sustaining a high quality of life for the farmer, co-op members and for workers on the farms. Rogers also conducts an annual farmers meeting with growers to share best practices in agriculture, sustainability and social responsibility.