Just our cup of tea
- Mars Drinks grows Rainforest Alliance certified drinks range
Monday 08 June, 2009
Basingstoke, UK, June 8, 2009: Green tea is more than just a taste option for Mars Drinks; it’s a commitment. Continuing its work with the Rainforest Alliance, Mars Drinks is now sourcing tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. This adds to the existing range of Mars Drinks fresh-ground coffee drinks that already carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal of approval.
The Rainforest Alliance, working with other non-profit conservation organisations in the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), has developed a practical standard for certifying farms based on ten principles of sustainable agriculture. Factors ranging from ecosystem and water conservation through to community relations and waste management all form part of the Rainforest Alliance certification criteria.
“With more than six million acres of land around the world currently used for growing tea plants, it’s crucial that those tea estates follow strict social, environmental and economic standards,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “Continuing the Rainforest Alliance’s relationship with Mars Drinks by expanding certification into their tea supply means we can provide greater on-the-ground benefits to ecosystems, workers and wildlife.”
Tea cultivation can cause soil erosion, pollution from fertilizers and deforestation, while many tea farmers lack decent housing and healthcare. The global tea industry also faces challenges with demand falling behind supply, which makes it difficult for farmers to earn a living. Similar issues are also faced by coffee farmers.
Daniel Vennard, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director explains, “Sustainable business is key for Mars Drinks and that encompasses all aspects of our operations. Working with the Rainforest Alliance is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to help tea and coffee farmers enhance the quality of their product. On Rainforest Alliance Certified ™ farms, farmers employ techniques that improve crop quality and yield, allowing them to command better prices on the open market, and drive improved living and working conditions for farm workers and their families.”
Through its Thirsty for Change programme, Mars Drinks has a strong commitment to helping its customers, the environment and its partner suppliers. Sourcing coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms is an important part of this approach to sustainable business practice.
Mars Drinks takes a company-wide approach to promoting sustainability, from corporate level through to the factory floor. At an internal event to share information about the ongoing work with the Rainforest Alliance, Mars Drinks employees were able to learn more about Rainforest Alliance operations and the importance of the certification.
Speaking at the event held at Mars Drinks offices in Basingstoke, Marc Monsarrat, Africa Manager of the Rainforest Alliance explained, “Our work on the ground can’t survive without the support and commitment of companies, like Mars Drinks, that create a market in which these farmers can sell their sustainable tea.”
In the FLAVIA range of teas, English Breakfast will be the first to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal of approval, with the addition of Earl Grey and Royal Blend scheduled to be added this Autumn.
To find out more about FLAVIA and Mars Drinks, call: 0800 0323 444
Contact for further info: Toni O’Sullivan, tosullivan@thebluedoor.com, 01252 899969
Editors Notes:
Mars Drinks (marsdrinks.com) is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing 70,000 associates in 67 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, USA, Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest food companies, generating global revenues of $30 billion annually and operating in six segments that produce some of the world’s leading brands. In addition to the Drinks brands above, popular Mars, Incorporated brands include: in the Chocolate segment, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY ®, MARS®, MILKY WAY®, and TWIX®; in the Petcare segment, PEDIGREE ®, WHISKAS ®, SHEBA ®, CESAR ® and ROYAL CANIN ®; in the Wrigley segment, ORBIT ®, EXTRA ®, STARBURST ®, DOUBLEMINT ®, and SKITTLES ®; in the Food segment, UNCLE BEN’S ®, DOLMIO®, ELBY®, MASTERFOODS ® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; and in the Symbioscience segment, COCOAPROTM, WISDOM PANELTM MX, and SERAMIS®.
The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily.