The FAIRTRADE Mark ensures that the producers of goods have received what has been agreed to be a fair price, as well as the social premiums to invest in the future of their communities. Talking of coffee farming, the Foundation explains: “Around 70% of the world’s coffee farmers are small scale growers and they face particular disadvantages in the marketplace. Fairtrade’s mission is to make trade work for marginalised or disadvantaged producers, and therefore is a global agreement that the system should offer champion purchase of sustainable coffee from organisations of small coffee farmers explicitly.” The Foundation believes that in its 13 years of existence in the UK, Fairtrade has proven to be an extremely successful model of how people centred trade can effectively reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.

Kraft Foods, parent company of The Kenco Coffee Company, is continually working to reduce the environmental impact of its activities, preventing pollution and promoting the sustainability of the natural resources upon which it depends, while providing high quality products that meet the needs of its consumers.

There has been a noticeable change in the public’s general attitudes towards ethically sourced and sustainable products over the past decade. With an ever increasing number of businesses and local authorities putting sustainability and ethical sourcing at the heart of their corporate social responsibility, it is now more important than ever before for businesses offering hot beverage vending services to be able to show 100 per cent commitment. Beyond the accepted norm of sustainable sourcing, it is now possible to offer consumers and operators full transparency and traceability, so that they can find out exactly where and how their coffee products are produced. This adds yet another factor into the equation of which brand and blend of coffee a vending operator should choose.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability has been defined by the United Nations as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainability is the intersection of environmental, social and economic responsibility. It is about preserving the planet - in terms of land, air, water and people.

Sustainability spans a range of social, economic and environmental topics from climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions to helping coffee and cocoa farmers earn a decent wage.

The British vending market has not managed to avoid the ethical hand guiding market trends. In the last ten years consumers have become increasingly aware of and concerned about green issues. Customers want to know that what they are purchasing is healthy, ethically produced and delivered to them with minimum impact on the environment - albeit at a low price.

Fairtrade is an international movement set up to ensure that the producers of goods in poorer countries get a fair deal. Essentially, this means a fair price for goods, long-term contracts which provide real security and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills required to develop their business.

Having entered the fairtrade market approximately four years ago, Barry Callebaut is still appealing to an increasing number of managers with its Van Houten brand chocolate drink with the Fairtrade Max Havelaar mark. And the group plans to continue down this successful route.

When it comes to drinking coffee, it appears today's consumers are putting extra thought into their purchasing decision and looking to buy sustainable food and beverages wherever possible. 

For those seeking the very latest developments in vending, packaging experts Huhtamaki have just launched one of the most innovative products around - their new bio-coated vending cups.

Rombouts Coffee GB Ltd., the company famous for its one-cup filters, has a selection of coffees ideal for use by vending operators - so now there really is no excuse for customers to go without a great tasting cup of real coffee!