Global Coffee Platform (GCP) has recognised Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG)’s in-house sustainability program, NKG Bloom, as Coffee Sustainability Reference (SR) Code equivalent, 2nd party assurance.

The Coffee SR Code is a sector-wide reference on the foundations of sustainability in economic, social, and environmental dimensions for green coffee production and primary processing worldwide.

In addition, the Global Coffee Platform Equivalence Mechanism (EM) defines the set of operational criteria that ensures a credible and effective system for implementation and includes governance, standard-setting, assurance, data, and claims requirements.

“We are honoured with GCP’s recognition of NKG Bloom as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 2nd party and that our sustainability initiatives, NKG Verified and Bloom, are both aligned with the Coffee SR Code and the EM 2.0,” says Ruben Scholz, Group COO of Neumann Kaffee Gruppe.

“This recognition strengthens our goal to improve the livelihoods of 300,000 coffee farming families by 2030. NKG is proud of the work of our local teams, who are supporting smallholder farmers on the ground to reach their full potential and find a way out of poverty.”

GCP developed the EM – together with the Coffee SR Code and the GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases – to offer a common language on the foundations for coffee sustainability, and to promote the supply and demand of coffee produced, following at least baseline sustainability principles.

NKG Bloom is NKG’s long-term investment in producers, in which the company provides services to producers to address their key challenges and make coffee farming an attractive business for them and their families.

NKG Verified, the group’s program for traceable and sustainable coffee supplies to green buyers, has also been recognised as GCP equivalent, 2nd party assurance. Both programs align with and contribute to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

GCP is a multi-stakeholder membership association of coffee producers, traders, roasters and retailers, civil society, associations, governments, and donors, united under a common vision to work collectively towards a thriving, sustainable coffee sector for generations to come.