OUR APPROACH TOWARDS CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
This framework ensures our daily actions create added-value for all stakeholders while supporting our mission to make a positive impact in the lives, businesses, and ecosystems, of coffee communities, around the world.
ONE PROGRAM…
3 METHODOLOGIES
A unique and meaningful way RGC supports its partners is by developing and implementing community-led sustainability projects across our supply chains. With the support of our roaster and retail partners, we utilize our expertise in logistics, trading, and economic development to design, guide, and finance these efforts through green coffee purchases.
To help the coffee industry scale toward sustainability, we offer three open-sourced supply chain projects for coffee growing communities to customize and employ in their sustainability journey.
RGC 3E® COMMUNITY PROJECT METHODOLOGIES
UPLIFTING WOMEN
Flowers symbolize joy, gratitude, and progress, aligning with our project's core goal: family prosperity. Los Sueños del Café actively engages women to enhance family and community well-being.
SUPPORTING FARMWORKERS
Farmworkers, typically overlooked in coffee projects, are central to coffee quality and quantity, setting our Farmworkers Program apart and making employment in the
coffee industry more socially sustainable.
REGENERATING ECOSYSTEMS
Todos al Agua signifies our corporate commitment to guide coffee communities in transforming their farms into regenerative agricultural ecosystems, ensuring sustainable coffee production while promoting soil health and biodiversity.
PEOPLE
32,209 people are participating in RGC 3E to foster sustainability in their communities.
4,063 People participating in programs to uplift and elevate women in their communities.
56 farmworkers trained as skilled farm labor specialists (fertilization, pest management, GAP, and machinery maintenance).
14,530 farmworkers and family members receiving wellbeing services (medical, dental, vision, medication subsidies, financial support, school kits).
PLANET
15,237,890 liters of annual water savings, as a result of infrastructure investments.
101,000 native trees planted, sequestering 1,183 tons of CO2 per year 21,500 vetiver grass seedlings planted to protect the soil.
426 wastewater treatment systems installed, avoiding future pollution and discharge into local watersheds.
167 composting systems, reducing emissions by 2,200 tons per year and allowing producers to save $14,000 USD per year by utilizing the composted pulp to make their own organic fertilizer.
PROSPERITY
17 million pounds of RGC 3E Coffee purchased in 2022, with added-premiums to support community-led supply chain projects.
$2.6 million USD invested in 2022 to support RGC 3E community-led supply chain projects.
$123,099 USD available through revolving credit funds to support women, workers and youth entrepreneurship.
1942 farmworkers enrolled in the Colombian government’s public pension program (BEPs) and saving for their future.
ON TRACK FOR OUR 2025 GOALS
Based on our RGC 3E®s, Elevate, Empower, Educate and the experience gained in supporting 45 communities, the main areas of opportunities include: climate-smart farming practices, carbon footprint training and education, and access to technical support and agronomists.
Support water conservation efforts in communities
Investments are needed, and solutions are not affordable by farmers themselves.
Support productivity programs
In regions where yields are substandard affecting farmers income (especially in Peru and Honduras).
Access to credit for small farmers
Access to credit for women farmers: Access to rotating microcredit funds with low interest rates is a powerful strategy in financial empowerment.
Implement next generation of coffee farmers strategies
Recruiting and retaining the next generation of coffee farmers by implementing entrepreneurship and leadership programs.
Continue tackling farmworkers scarcity
Well-being and good working conditions are critical in order to retain people in their communities.
Support farmers in adapting to climate change
Combating the threats of climate change requires a holistic and well-tailored approach.