Buendia, exclusive to Aimia Foods in the UK, is a 100% pure Colombian coffee available in freeze dried, decaffeinated and freshbrew formats. It is an exceptionally high quality coffee made from the finest Arabica beans to offer a smooth, consistent flavour which is ideal for all automatic beverage machines.

Martin Armitt, marketing controller of Aimia Foods, says: “Buendia produces an excellent mild, all-day coffee with a highly aromatic top note. The beverage more than holds its own in a world of accelerating consumer demands for quality.”

Yet is it not just Buendia’s quality, flavour and ethical credentials which are causing a stir. The coffee represents superb value – a bonus for operators who appreciate the need to offer an ethical beverage.

Why all the fuss about ethically-traded coffee? It is what consumers want, explains Martin. “Consumers are choosing more products they consider ‘virtuous’, a trend that is set to continue for many years. This is having a profound impact on individuals, and increasingly on decisions made by businesses and national and local governments. In fact, many companies are implementing and reviewing their corporate social responsibility programmes, and this more often than not includes a move towards ethical products.”

When someone purchases and enjoys a cup of Buendia coffee, they are supporting thousands of coffee growing families. The FNC, formed in 1927, guarantees a fair price for farmers (the traditional Cafeteros) and their families and ensures money is reinvested directly back to the Colombian villages and towns which produce the coffee beans. The factory brings to the area employment opportunities, business activity and dissemination of technical and management skills. Representing more than 566,000 cafeteros and their families, the FNC uses the profits from the resulting coffee sales to help provide a sustainable income for the communities.

Consistent, high quality is vital in order to maintain the worldwide popularity of Buendia coffee and, therefore, to ensure a good, secure income for the Cafeteros. One of the world’s leading research and development centres for coffee (Cenicafé), with more than 100 scientists and chemists, is operated by the FNC. The development and promotion of ecologically sound growing and production methods is an important part of its R&D program.

Equally important, ethically-traded coffee is an investment which pays for itself. According to research commissioned by Aimia Foods, 40% of consumers would be very likely to select an ethically traded product if offered, even if the price was a little bit higher. In fact, sales of Aimia Foods ethically-traded product lines, which represent two thirds of the company’s hot beverage range, have grown by 30% over the past 12 months.

“If you are looking for an ethically-traded coffee with excellent taste, quality and return on investment, it pays to explore the alternatives. Buendia has a great deal to offer the vending market,” says Martin.

Recognising that operators need to leverage their hot beverage sales, to add sales value and margin, Aimia Foods also offers fully-branded Buendia solutions. Branded machines and decals increase visibility of the ethical choice at the point of sale, and dedicated product literature supports operators’ ongoing dialogues to further educate and engage customers.

“It’s all about pouring more ethical coffee, selling more ethical coffee and ultimately making more money,” concludes Martin.

“Buendia proves the point that fair and ethically sourced coffee needn’t cost the earth. Good value and social responsibility can go hand in hand.”

For more information about Buendia, please contact your Aimia Foods representative on 01942 408600 or visit www.aimiafoods.com

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