McDonald’s committed to 100% sustainably sourced coffee

McDonald’s coffee is on track to be 100% sustainably sourced by 2020. This substantial promise by the fast food icon shows its commitment to support a better planet.

McDonald’s coffee is more than just a caffeine boost or a warm cup of comfort. In today’s announcement, the fast food icon is on target to meet its goal of 100% sustainably sourced coffee by 2020. This initiative is more than just a label, it is a pledge to support farming, discuss the perils of climate change and influence consumers’ decisions.

For many people, the label sustainably sourced may go unnoticed. In today’s grab and go world, some consumers are focused on value versus how something was created. Unfortunately, that good value can come at a high cost. Poor farming practices, over-consumption and other environmentally negative choices have a huge impact on the planet. Is that good value really good for the consumer?

McDonald’s understands that it holds a unique position in the food world. As more and more consumers value the knowledge that their foods are sustainably sourced, McDonald’s is embracing that ideal in their restaurants. While the goal is to reach 100% sustainably sourced coffee by 2020, at present, McCafe coffee for U.S. restaurants is at 84% verified as sustainably sourced.

Although many people think about farming as the salad at dinner or the fruit at breakfast, coffee crops are quite vulnerable to climate change. According to a study provided by McDonald’s, current climate conditions have the “potential to cut the world’s coffee-growing area in half by 2050.” With so many people relying on coffee to jumpstart or continuously fuel their day, this number is quite concerning. Where you would be without your cup of coffee?

“We know many people enjoy coffee as part of their daily routine, and, at McDonalds, we are taking meaningful steps to support farmers protecting it from climate change,” said Townsend Bailey, Director, U.S. Supply Chain Sustainability, McDonald’s. Again, this choice shows that McDonald’s is taking a proactive approach to topics that are important with consumers. It is another example of McDonald’s being a leader in the food industry.

While many people have heard the term climate change, understanding that impact is different. Although weather stories can be spun to varying degrees of truth, people can walk into a real life experience. In Chicago, McDonald’s is hosting the “McCafe Sustainable Coffee Journey.” In this experience, customers will walk into a heated dome. This dome “will feature installations depicting the impacts of climate change on coffee trees, farmers and their communities.” Hopefully this experience will solidify people’s appreciation for the effects of climate change.

Personally, I applaud McDonald’s and McDonald’s coffee for focusing on sustainably sourced coffee and furthering the conversation on farming, climate change and sustainability. Starting a conversation is the first step to change. Hopefully, McDonald’s position can encourage other brands to follow in their footsteps.

Everything is related in some way, shape or form. That coffee didn’t arrive in your travel mug by waving a magic wand and climate change won’t improve without real change. Why not make a small change in your morning routine and make sure that your coffee is sustainably sourced. Sometimes small changes can make a big impact.